Tooth Anatomy Quiz 1 Module 1

Incisors

The two teeth (central and lateral) in each quadrant next to the midline.

Diastema

A space or gap that exists between two teeth.

Functions of Incisors

Cut food, articulate speech, support lips (esthetics), and guide the mandible during movement.

Mamelons

Three small rounded projections on the incisal edge of newly erupted incisors.

Maxillary Central Incisor

The longest incisor crown.

Lingual View

A perspective showing the tongue side of the tooth.

Marginal Ridges

Elevated portions of enamel at the mesial and distal borders of the lingual surface.

Cervical Line

The line where the crown of the tooth meets the root.

Proximal Contacts

The points where adjacent teeth touch each other.

Peg Lateral

A misshapen lateral incisor often found to be narrower and sometimes conical.

Root Shape of Incisors

All incisor roots have lingual surfaces that are convex.

Fossa

A shallow depression on a tooth surface.

Shovel Shaped Incisors

Incisors characterized by a deep fossa that resembles a shovel.

Distal Bend of Root Tip

A common feature where the root tip bends away from the midline.

Incisal Wear

Faceting of the incisal ridge on labial of mandibular incisors and lingual of maxillary incisors.

Type Traits

Distinct characteristics that differentiate similar teeth from one another.

Lingual Fossa

A depression seen on the lingual surface of incisors.

Facial View

Perspective showing the front or facial side of a tooth.

Mesiodistal Width

The measurement of a tooth from the mesial (toward the midline) to distal (away from the midline) surfaces.

Faciolingually

Referring to a measurement across the facial (front) and lingual (back/tongue) surfaces of a tooth.

Apical foramen

The opening at the tip of the root of the tooth through which blood vessels and nerves enter.

Premolars

Teeth located between the canine and molar teeth; typically have two cusps.

Universal Numbering System

A tooth numbering system used in the United States that assigns numbers 1 through 32 to permanent teeth.

Cementoenamel junction (CEJ)

The area where the enamel of the crown meets the cementum covering the root.

Clinical crown

The portion of the tooth visible above the gum line.

Root canal

The space within the root of the tooth that contains the pulp.

Pulp chamber

The space within the crown of the tooth that houses the pulp tissue.

Enamel

The hard, outermost substance of a tooth, providing protection.

Dentin

The dense, bony tissue forming the bulk of a tooth beneath enamel and cementum.

Buccal ridge

A ridge that runs along the buccal surface of posterior teeth.

Mesial surface

The surface of the tooth that is closest to the midline of the face.

Distal surface

The surface of the tooth that is furthest from the midline of the face.

Occlusal surface

The biting surface of posterior teeth.

Fossa

A shallow, rounded, or scooped-out area on the tooth surface.

Embrasure

The space between adjacent teeth that is not occupied by the contact area.

Malocclusion

Misalignment of teeth when the jaws are closed, affecting bite.

Cusp

The pointed part of the tooth that helps in grinding food.

Triangular ridge

A ridge that descends from the cusp tip toward the center of the occlusal surface.

Crown-to-root ratio

A comparison of the sizes of the crown and root of a tooth.

Periodontium

The supporting structure of the teeth, including gums, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone.

Mamelons

Three rounded protuberances on the incisors formed during development.

Perikymata

Micro-structure of enamel that appears as fine lines on the surface of newly erupted teeth.