PreClinic Theory: Dental Terminology

Maxilla (Maxillae)

Paired bone of the upper jaw. Two bones. Adjective is maxillary, meaning pertaining to the upper jaw.

Mandible

Lower jaw. One bone. Adjective is Mandibular, meaning pertaining to the lower jaw

Arch

All the teeth in either the upper or lower jaw

Median Line (Midline)

Imaginary vertical line which divides the body into right and left halves

Quadrant

One-fourth of the dentition; the quadrants are divided into right and left, maxillary and mandibular

Quadrant 1

Maxillary right (1-8)

Quadrant 2

Maxillary left (9-16)

Quadrant 3

Mandibular left (16-24)

Quadrant 4

Mandibular right (25-32)

Total amount of anterior teeth

12

Total amount of posterior teeth

20

Anterior

Situated in front of; used to designate the incisor and canine teeth or the area toward the front of the mouth

Posterior

Situated towards the back of the mouth, used to designate premolars and molars

Sextant

One sixth of the dentition. Divided into right posterior, anterior, and left posterior of both arches

Sextant 1

Maxillary right posterior (1-5)

Sextant 2

Maxillary anterior (6-11)

Sextant 3

Maxillary left posterior (12-16)

Sextant 4

Mandibular left posterior (17-21)

Sextant 5

Mandibular anterior (22-27)

Sextant 6

Mandibular right posterior (28-32)

Occlusion

Relationship of the maxillary and mandibular teeth

Malocclusion

Abnormal occlusion of the teeth

Incisors Function

To cut. Central and lateral types

Canines (Cuspids) Function

To pierce or tear. 1 per quadrant

Premolars Function

To crush. Two per quadrant.

Molars Function

To crush, mill, grind. Three per quadrant. First, second, third (wisdom teeth)

How is primary dentition (children) different than permanent dentition

Primary dentition does not have any premolars. They have all anterior teeth and then first and second molars only. They will all be exfoliated. Adult teeth do not exfoliate, unless due to trauma or disease

Enamel

Hard, calcified tissue which covers the dentin in the crown of the tooth

Dentin

Hard, calcified tissue forming the inside body of the tooth, underlying the enamel and cementum, and surrounding the pulp.

Cementum

Thin layer of bonelike tissue covering the root of the tooth

Pulp

Highly vascular, (blood vessels) and innervated (nerves) tissue, lymph tissue within the central chamber of the tooth

Dentinoenamel Junction (DEJ)

Line marking the junction of the dentin with the enamel

Dentinocemental Junction (DCJ)

Line marking the junction of the dentin and the cementum

Cementoenamel Junction (CEJ)

Junctions of the enamel of the crown and the cementum of the root; forms the cervical line around the tooth. Location where people commonly have buildup. Same area as the cervical line.

Anatomical Crown

The portion of the tooth covered with enamel.

Cusp

Major pointed or rounded eminence on or near the occlusal surface of a tooth

Root

The portion of the tooth embedded in bone and covered with cementum

Root Apex

Extremity (tip or end) of the root of a tooth, bottom

Cervix

Constructed structure; the narrow region at the junction of the crown and root of the tooth. Indentation where CEJ is located

Cervical Line

Line formed by the junction of the enamel and cementum on a tooth. Also known as cementoenamel junction (CEJ) Lots of calculus

Furcation

Point at which a tooth that has two or more root branches

Bifurcation

Division into two roots. Mandibular molars

Trifurcation

Division into three roots. Maxillary molars.

Dentition

the kind, size, and arrangement of the teeth

Primary (Deciduous) Dentition

Consists of 20 teeth. Teeth are exfoliated (shed)

Secondary (Permanent) Dentition

Consists of 32 teeth. Teeth are not exfoliated. Exceptions include exfoliation due to trauma or disease.

Mixed Dentition

Dentition containing some primary and some secondary teeth in the dental arches at the same time. Primary teeth are being exfoliated and the permanent teeth are erupting (emerging of tooth into the oral cavity)

Typically how old are children with mixed dentition

Approximately ages six to twelve

Functions of both primary and secondary dentitions

Mastication (chewing), maintenance and guidance, esthetics, speech

Additional functions of primary dentition

Maintenance of space for permanent teeth, act as a guide for erupting teeth

Nonsuccedaneous teeth

Permanent molars in permanent dentition that do NOT replace primary teeth. (1-3, 14-16 , 17,-19, 30-32)

Succedaneous teeth

Permanent teeth that replace primary teeth. (4-13, 20-29)

Lingual (L or Li)

Surface nearest the tongue

Facial (F)

Surfaces next to the face; the outer surfaces, resting against or next to the cheeks and lips. (Encompasses buccal and labial)

Buccal (B)

Facial surfaces of posterior teeth (premolars and molars); next to cheeks

Labial (La)

Facial surfaces of anterior teeth (incisors and canines); next to lips

Proximal

Surfaces next to an adjacent tooth in the same arch

Mesial (M)

Surfaces nearest midline of arch

Distal (D)

Surfaces furthest from midline of arch

Which are the only teeth that have mesial surfaces in contact?

8/9 and 24/25

Occlusal (O)

Biting surface of posterior teeth

Incisal (I)

Biting edge of anterior teeth

Contact Area (Contact Point)

The small spot or area on the mesial or distal surfaces of the tooth which touches or contacts the adjacent tooth in the same arch

Embrasure

Open space between the proximal surface of two teeth where they diverge facially, lingually, or occlusally from the contact area.

Concavity

Depression in a surface

Convexity

Bulge in a surface

Interproximal Space

Triangular space between adjacent teeth. Where papillae are. (pointed or rounded portion of the gingiva)

Long Axis

Imaginary line that divides an object in half lengthwise. Vertically down.

How to name a tooth using the Universal Tooth Numbering System

Dentition (permanent or primary), arch (maxillary or mandibular), side (right or left), and then tooth itself (third molar for number 1)

Which dentition is numbered 1-32

Permanent/Secondary

Which dentition uses A-T

Primary/Deciduous

Cervico-occlusally (cervico-incisally) (Division of Teeth)

Crown only divided horizontally; cervical third, middle third, occlusal/incisal third

Mesiodistally (Division of Teeth)

Crown or root divided vertically looking from the front; mesial third, middle third, distal third

Faciolingually (Division of Teeth)

Crown or root divided vertically looking from the side; facial third, middle third, lingual third

Cervicoapically (Division of Teeth)

Root only divided horizontally; cervical third, middle third, apical third