Dental Anatomy and Tooth Morphology – Lesson 1

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the dental anatomy and tooth morphology notes.

Dental Anatomy

The study of the development, morphology, function, and identity of each tooth in the human dentition and how teeth relate in shape, form, structure, color, and function to other teeth in the same and opposing arches.

Tooth Morphology

The study of the shape, form, structure, color, and function of teeth and their relationships to other teeth.

Primary (Deciduous) Dentition

The first set of teeth in the human dentition; twenty primary teeth arranged in maxillary and mandibular arches and divided into quadrants.

Permanent Dentition

The second set of teeth in the human dentition; thirty-two teeth arranged in maxillary and mandibular arches and divided into quadrants.

Deciduous Teeth

Anterior teeth (centrals, laterals, cuspids) and posterior teeth (molars) that are eventually shed and replaced by permanent teeth.

Anterior Teeth

Centrals, laterals, and cuspids (canines) located at the front of the mouth.

Posterior Teeth

Premolars (bicuspids) and molars located toward the back of the mouth.

Palmer Notation System

One of the tooth identification systems used in dental anatomy, using a quadrant symbol with a tooth number within that quadrant.

Universal System

A tooth identification system used in the United States that assigns a unique number to each tooth.

FDI Two-Digit System

Federation Dentaire Internationale system; two digits where the first indicates the quadrant and the second indicates the tooth within that quadrant.

FDI Permanent Quadrants

First digit for permanent dentition quadrants: 1=Upper Right, 2=Upper Left, 3=Lower Left, 4=Lower Right.

FDI Primary Quadrants

First digit for primary dentition quadrants: 5=Upper Right, 6=Upper Left, 7=Lower Left, 8=Lower Right.

FDI Permanent Tooth Numbering Example

Examples include 11–18 (upper right teeth), 21–28 (upper left), 31–38 (lower left), 41–48 (lower right).

FDI Primary Tooth Numbering Example

Examples include 51–55 (upper right primary), 61–65 (upper left), 71–75 (lower left), 81–85 (lower right).

Tooth Surfaces: Buccal

The facial surface of posterior teeth facing the cheek.

Tooth Surfaces: Labial

The facial surface of anterior teeth facing the lips.

Tooth Surfaces: Lingual

The surface of maxillary and mandibular teeth toward the tongue.

Tooth Surfaces: Palatal

The surface of maxillary teeth toward the palate.

Proximal Surfaces

The surfaces of teeth that are adjacent to neighboring teeth.

Mesial Surface

The proximal surface toward the midline of the dental arch.

Distal Surface

The proximal surface away from the midline of the dental arch.

Incisal Surface

The cutting edge or ridge of anterior teeth.

Occlusal Surface

The chewing surface of posterior teeth.

Line Angle

The junction of two tooth surfaces; line angles are named from the surfaces involved (e.g., distolabial, mesiolingual).

Point Angle

The junction of three tooth surfaces; named from the surfaces involved.

Line Angles (Examples)

Common line angles include distolabial, distolingual, mesiolabial, mesiolingual, distolinguo-occlusal, etc.

Division into Thirds

Crown surfaces are divided into cervical, middle, and incisal (or respective thirds) for reference.

Lobe

One of the primary centers of calcification in crown development; a tooth typically develops from four or more lobes, with pulp horns corresponding.

Pulp Horns

Pulp chamber projections corresponding to the lobes of a tooth.

Mamelons

Three small ridges on the incisal edge of newly erupted permanent incisors.

Cingulum

A bulge on the lingual surface of the anterior crown.

Cusps

Pyramidal projections on canines and on the occlusal surfaces of premolars and molars; each cusp has four cusp ridges.

Cusp Ridges

Ridges around a cusp named for their location (incisal, marginal, buccal, lingual).

Ridges (Types)

Linear ridges (cervical, incisal, labial, buccal, lingual), marginal ridges, transverse ridges, and oblique ridge.

Fossa

Shallow depressions on tooth surfaces (lingual fossa, central fossa, triangular fossae).

Grooves

Developmental grooves and supplemental grooves that separate cusps or primary parts of teeth.

Fissures

Linear depressions or narrow crevices where enamel is prone to caries; caused by incomplete fusion of enamel.

Anomalies in Number

Variations such as anodontia (no teeth), hypodontia (missing teeth), and hyperdontia (extra teeth).

Anomalies in Size

Variations such as macrodontia (large teeth) and microdontia (small teeth), including fusion and gemination.

Anomalies in Shape

Abnormal tooth shapes such as dens evaginatus, dens invaginatus, taurodontism, peg lateral, and dilaceration.