jaw and dental anatomy

maxilla

the upper jawbone, forming the upper jaw and the central part of the facial skeleton

what does the anatomy of the maxilla contain

alveolar process, palatine process, frontal process, and zygomatic process

alveolar process

contains the tooth sockets

palatine process

forms the anterior part of the hard palate

frontal process

extends upward to articulate with the frontal bone

zygomatic process

connects with the zygomatic bone

what are the functions of the maxilla?

supports the upper teeth, forms the floor of the orbits and the sides and floor of the nasal cavity, and plays a crucial role in mastication and speech

mandible

lower jawbone, is the largest and strongest bone of the face

what does the anatomy of the mandible contain?

body, ramus, condyle, and coronoid process

body of mandible

the horizontal part that holds the lower teeth

ramus

the vertical part that connects to the skull

condyle

the rounded end that articulates with the temporal bone to form the TMJ

coronoid process

provides attachment for the temporals muscle

functions of the mandible

supports the lower teeth, facilitates chewing and speaking, and provides structure to the lower face

jaw

consists of the maxilla and mandible, working together to enable chewing and speaking

tempormandibular joint (TMJ)

joint where the mandible meets the temporal bone, allows for the movement of the jaw, including opening, closing, and side to side movements

what are the movements of the jaw?

elevation and depression, protrusion and recursion, and lateral movements

elevation and depression

opening and closing the mouth

protrusion and retrusion

moving the jaw forward and backward

lateral movements

side to side movements for grinding food

what are the different types of teeth?

incisors, canines, premolars, and molars

incisors

sharp front teeth for cutting food

canines

pointed teeth for tearing food

premolars

flat teeth for crushing and grinding food

molars

large, flat teeth at the back for grinding food

what does tooth anatomy contain

crown, neck, and root

crown

the visible part of the tooth

neck

the area between the crown and the root

root

the part embedded in the jawbone

layers of the tooth

enamel, dentin, and pulp

enamel

hard, outer layer that protects the tooth

dentin

the layer beneath the enamel, less hard but still strong

pulp

the innermost part containing nerves and blood vessels

what are the 2 dental arches

upper and lower

upper arch (maxillary arch)

contains the upper teeth

lower arch (mandible arch)

contains the lower teeth

occlusion

the way the upper and lower teeth fit together

what is the importance of occlusion

essential for effective chewing and overall oral heath

cavities

caused by bacterial infection leading to tooth decay, prevention includes good oral hygiene, fluoride, and regular dental check-ups

gum diseases

symptoms include red, swollen, and bleeding gums, treatment includes improved oral hygiene, professional cleaning, and sometimes medication

orthodontic issues

common problems include misaligned teeth, overbite, and underbite, solution includes braces, retainers, and sometimes surgeries