Descriptive Dental Anatomy II - Permanent Molars, Deciduous Teeth, and Occlusion

Vocabulary practice flashcards generated from the Descriptive Dental Anatomy II lecture notes.

Key of Occlusion

A designation given to the maxillary first permanent molar because it is the largest maxillary molar and plays a fundamental role in establishing correct dental occlusion.

Tubercle of Carabelli

A Fifth cusp or developmental elevation located on the mesiolingual cusp of the maxillary first permanent molar.

Oblique Ridge

A prominent anatomical ridge on the occlusal surface of maxillary molars that runs diagonally between the mesiolingual cusp and the distobuccal cusp.

Cruciform Grooves

A cross-shaped developmental groove pattern on the occlusal surface of the mandibular second permanent molar created by the intersection of the buccal, lingual, and central grooves.

Mesio-buccal Cervical Ridge

A pronounced ridge at the cervical third on the buccal surface of deciduous molars (especially primary first molars) that deviates toward the mesial.

Periodontium

The collective tissue structures that surround, support, and anchor the teeth, comprising the gingiva, cementum, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone.

Interproximal Space

A triangular space between adjacent contacting teeth, bounded by the alveolar bone process at its base, the proximal surfaces of the teeth on its sides, and the contact area at its apex.

Embrasure

A V-shaped open spillway space extending outward from the contact area of two adjacent teeth in an occlusal/incisal, buccal/labial, or lingual direction.

Overjet

The horizontal relationship or extension of the maxillary anterior teeth beyond the mandibular anterior teeth when in centric occlusion.

Curve of Spee

An anteroposterior curvature of the occlusal plane that begins at the lower central incisor incisal edge, extends along the buccal cusps of posterior teeth, and terminates at the anterior border of the condyle.

Curve of Wilson

A transverse curve across the coronal plane formed by the lingual inclination of mandibular posterior crown tops and the buccal inclination of maxillary posterior crowns.

Sphere of Monson

A 3D composite occlusal curvature combining the Curve of Spee and Curve of Wilson into a segment of a sphere with a radius of $4\,\text{inches}$ centered at the glabella.

Bonwill Triangle

An equilateral triangle with side lengths measuring $4\,\text{inches}$ formed between the mesial contact point of the lower central incisors and the center of each mandibular condyle.

Centric Occlusion

The positional relationship between upper and lower teeth when they achieve full intercuspation with the condyles resting in their most retrusive, unstrained positions in the glenoid fossae.

Shedding

The physiological loss of primary teeth resulting from progressive root resorption caused by the eruption pressure of permanent successor teeth.

Working Side

The side of the jaw toward which the mandible shifts during lateral masticatory movements, where the buccal cusps of opposing maxillary and mandibular teeth make contact.

Balancing Side

The side opposite the working side during lateral mandibular movement, where contact occurs between the lingual cusps of maxillary teeth and buccal cusps of mandibular teeth.