Lecture 1: Dental Anatomy and Dentition Notation

A vocabulary-style set of flashcards covering key dental anatomy, dentition, and notation concepts from the lecture notes.

Endodontic treatment

The procedure for treating a tooth’s root canal to remove infection or dead pulp in order to save the tooth.

Root canal

A canal within a tooth that contains pulp tissue; shaped and cleaned during endodontic treatment.

Tooth anatomy

The structure of a tooth (crown, root, pulp, canals) and its arrangement that determines function and treatment.

Occlusion

How the upper and lower teeth contact and bite together; essential for proper function and restorative work.

Operative dentistry

Dental practice focused on restoring tooth structure with restorative materials, guided by anatomy.

Prosthodontics

Dental specialty dealing with replacements of missing teeth, including fixed and removable restorations; relies on anatomy and occlusion.

Periodontics

Dental specialty focused on supporting tissues around teeth; understanding root anatomy helps remove contamination and maintain health.

Inferior labial frenulum

The tissue that connects the lower lip to the gingiva.

Retromolar trigram

A small mucogingival area behind the last molar used as an anatomical landmark for anesthesia.

Palate

The roof of the mouth, consisting of a hard palate (bony front) and a soft palate (muscular back).

Gingiva

Gums; the soft tissue surrounding teeth.

Major salivary glands

Parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands—the primary producers of saliva.

Minor salivary glands

Numerous small glands distributed throughout the oral mucosa.

Odontogenesis

The development of teeth from embryonic stages through eruption.

Primary dentition

The first set of teeth (baby teeth); about 20 teeth; erupt around six months; no premolars; eventually shed.

Permanent dentition

The second set of teeth (adult teeth); 32 teeth; replaces primary teeth; includes premolars and third molars.

Mixed dentition

The period when both primary and permanent teeth are present in the mouth.

Odontogram

A diagram or chart used to record the tooth numbers and conditions for a patient.

Maxillary

The upper jaw or arch.

Mandibular

The lower jaw or arch.

Quadrants

The four sections of each dental arch created by the midline: upper right, upper left, lower left, lower right.

Midline

The imaginary line between the central incisors that divides the arch into two halves.

FDI notation

World Dental Federation two-digit system: first digit = quadrant, second digit = tooth within that quadrant; permanent teeth use quadrants 1–4, primary 5–8; teeth numbered 1–8 (per quadrant) or 1–5 for primary.

Palmer notation

Notation using quadrant brackets and numbers 1–8 for permanent teeth (1–8 per quadrant) and 1–5 for primary teeth.

Universal notation

U.S. tooth numbering: permanent teeth 1–32; primary teeth A–T; orientation follows the patient’s right side.

Mesial

Direction toward the midline of the dental arch.

Distal

Direction away from the midline toward the back of the mouth.

Labial surface

Surface of a tooth toward the lips (front); often used interchangeably with buccal for anterior teeth.

Buccal surface

Surface of a tooth toward the cheek (outer side; posterior teeth).

Lingual surface

Surface of a tooth facing the tongue.

Palatal surface

Surface of a maxillary tooth facing the palate (equivalent to lingual for upper teeth).

Occlusal surface

Chewing surface of posterior teeth (premolars and molars).

Incisal surface

Biting edge of anterior teeth.

Cervical area

Region near the crown–root boundary.

Apical region

The tip of the tooth root.

Line angle

The junction of two tooth surfaces (e.g., labial-incisal; mesial-lingual).

Point angle

The junction of three tooth surfaces (e.g., distal-labial-incisal).

Third molar

Wisdom tooth; often last to erupt and may be absent or impacted.