FORENSIC ODONTOLOGY | PRELIMS

ALVEOLAR PROCESS

• The teeth are anchored in the sockets of the ___________ of the maxilla and mandible

GOMPHOSIS

• type of joint (fibrous joint) where the teeth are embedded into the jawbone

GINGIVAE (GUMS)

• these are soft tissues that line the alveolar process

• surround the necks of the teeth, providing protection and support

PERIODONTAL LIGAMENT

• A specialized connective tissues that secures the teeth in their sockets

• absorbs mechanical stress during chewing

CROWN

• part of the tooth that projects above the gum line

ROOT

• The part of the tooth that is embedded with the jawbone

PULP CAVITY

• both the crown and root contain a central ______,

• houses connective tissues, nerves, and blood vessels that nourishes the tooth

ROOT CANAL

• portion of the pulp cavity that extends through the roof of the tooth

DENTIN

• dense bone-like tissue that surrounds the pulp cavity

• forming the bulk of the tooth structure

CEMENTUM

• in a root, dentin is covered by _____;

• a bone-like layer that helps anchor the tooth within the socket

ENAMEL

• In the crown, dentin is covered by _____;

• hardest substance in the human body, which protects underlying structures

INCISORS

• also known as cutting teeth

• front of the dental arch

• broad and flat

• has straight cutting edge to bite and cut food into manageable pieces

CANINES

• recognized by their pointed cusps, designed to tear and pierce tougher foods, such as meat

• longest and most stable teeth

• single, long root (3 cm in length)

PREMOLARS

• transitional tooth between tearing and grinding

• usually have two cusps, designed to crush and tear food

• upper has two roots; all lower have one

MOLARS

• primary responsible for the final grinding and crushing of food

• broad chewing surface with four to five cusps, ideal for heavy-duty mastication

• can have 2-3 roots

MANDIBULAR FIRST MOLARS

• largest teeth in the human mouth

GINGLYMOARTHRODIAL JOINT

• the movable joint attaching mandible to other parts

MAXILLA

• Second largest facial bone; two bones forming the upper jaw 

• Supports 16 permanent maxillary teeth

• Forms part of the floor of orbit, lateral and floor of nasal cavity 

• Makes up ¾ of hard palate 

• Forms interior orbital fissure and pterygomaxillary fissure 

ALVEOLAR PROCESS

• which is the thick arched bone containing the tooth sockets. 

INCISIVE FOSSA

•  a depression behind the incisor teeth.

• Muscles like the depressor septi originate here, while the nasalis muscle lies above it. 

CANINE EMINENCE

• a bony ridge over the canine socket, separating the incisive fossa from the canine fossa.

CANINE FOSSA

• a larger depression lateral to the incisive fossa.

INFRAORBITAL FORAMEN

• located above the canine fossa, serves as the opening of the infraorbital canal.

MANDIBLE

• Largest, strongest bone of the head 

• Supports lower dental arch 

• Divided into body and ramus 

  • Body

    • U-shaped, two halves joined at the symphysis 

  • Ramus

    • vertical portions connected to the body

LATERAL INCISOR ALVEOLUS 

• Similar to central incisor 

• Slightly smaller in size 

• Central incisor socket wider to hold bulkier root

INTERDENTAL SEPTUM

• Higher between central and lateral incisors 

• Provides stability and support for teeth 

• Helps maintain spacing and gum support

GROWTH PERIOD

• Begins around the 6th week of pregnancy

DENTAL LAMINA

• thickened epithelial band forming the foundation for future teeth 

• serves as the foundation for all future teeth

STAGES OF GROWTH PERIOD

• Bud Stage

• Cap Stage

• Bell Stage

BUD STAGE

• Tooth buds or enamel organs form from epithelial clusters growing into underlying tissue

• Each bud corresponds to a future primary tooth

• Total primary teeth: 20 (10 in each jaw)

CAP STAGE

• Tooth buds take a cap-like shape 

• Dental tissues begin to form: 

  • Enamel 

  • Dentin 

  • Cementum

• Dental papilla develops beneath the cap → future dental pulp

BELL STAGE

• Tooth deepens into a bell shape 

• Dentinoenamel junction forms 

• Predentin produced by odontoblasts → mineralizes into dentin 

• Root formation begins

  
  

DENTINOENAMEN JUNCTION

• the boundary where the dentin and enamel meet

CALCIFICATION PERIOD

• Marks the hardening of dental structures

• Dentinogenesis and amelogenesis occur simultaneously

• Cementoblasts form cementum for root covering

• Periodontal ligament forms to secure the tooth in the socket

• Organic Matrix of tooth gradually mineralizes, enamel becomes ~95% mineral content

AMELOBLAST

• produces enamen

ODONTOBLAST

• produces dentin

DENTINOGENESIS

• the process of dentin formation through the odontoblast

AMELOGENESIS

• the process where ameloblasts start the formation of enamel

ERUPTION PERIOD

• Tooth moves through the gums into the mouth. 

• Occurs after crown formation is complete 

• Exfoliation of primary teeth happens as roots dissolve to make space for permanent teeth 

• Permanent incisors, canines, and premolars replace primary teeth

LABIAL SURFACE

• part of anterior teeth that faces the lips

• supports the lips, contributing to facial aesthetics and speech articulation

BUCCAL SURFACE

• found on the posterior of the teeth

• faces the inner cheeks and protects the internal tooth structure

FACIAL SURFACES

• combination of labial and buccal surfaces

• face outward the face

• contributes to oral appearance and structural support

PALATAL SURFACE

• located on the upper (maxillary) teeth

• faces the palate

• aids in speech and proper tongue movement during swallowing

LINGUAL SURFACE

• found on the lower (mandibular) teeth

• faces the tongue is the closest to the midline of the dental arch

DISTAL SURFACE

• farthest from the midline

MESIAL SURFACE

• tooth side is the closest to the midline

PROXIMAL SURFACES

• maintain the contact and spacing, cutting edge, of the anterior teeth — responsible for slicing and tearing food

OCCLUSAL SURFACE

• is the flat, top surface of the posterior teeth, used for grinding and breaking down food , playing a central role in mastication

DENTAL RADIOGRAPHS

• gold standard for comparison, offering objective and detailed anatomical data

RECONCILABLE INCONSISTENCY

• refers to a difference that can be explained by events such as new treatments, trauma, or natural changes

IRRECONCILABLE INCONSISTENCY

• Contradictions that cannot logically occur, such as treated tooth appearing untreated