Unit 3 - Tooth Morphology

The shape of a tooth on the sides that provide a passageway for food, protects the gingiva and allow for good contact between teeth are called?

Contours

The area of the mesial and distal surface that touches adjacent teeth is called?

Contact Area

These “V” shaped spaces form when 2 adjacent teeth touch

and act as spillways for food

Embrasures

A bulge or prominence of enamel found at the gum line, on the lingual side of anterior teeth is called a

Cingulum

An elevation on the occlusal surface of a tooth is called a

Cusp

The fifth cusp located on the mesiolingual cusp of the maxillary

permanent 1st molars is called the

Cusp of Carabelli

A linear elevation: any linear raised elevation on the actual surface of a tooth crown

Ridge

A linear depression: are natural channels on the chewing surfaces of molars and premolars that help crush and grind food, but they also easily trap food particles and bacteria

Groove

An irregular, smooth depression

fossa

A ridge that travels from the cusp tip down the 4 sides of

the tooth

cusp ridge

A cusp that travels from the cusp tip into the center of the tooth and gets wider as it reaches the center of the tooth. Appears as a triangle

triangular ridge

A ridge that forms the mesial and distal sides of the occlusal of a posterior tooth or the lingual of an anterior tooth

Marginal Ridge

The ridge found on the incisal surface of an anterior tooth

Incisal Ridge

A ridge that is formed by 2 triangular ridges and travels from the vestibular to the lingual sides of a posterior tooth

Transverse Ridge

A ridge that travels from the ML cusp to the DB cusp of a permanent maxillary 1st molar

Oblique Ridge

A smooth irregular shaped depression found on the lingual of an anterior tooth

Lingual Fossa

A smooth irregular shaped depression that forms a triangle on the occlusal of a posterior tooth

Triangular Fossa

A linear depression that surrounds the cusps of the tooth

Developmental Groove

A developmental fault in the enamel found where two grooves or fissures cross is called a

Pit

is placed in Pits and Fissures to block bacteria from entering and causing decay

sealant material

3 prominences on the incisal surface of newly erupted incisors

Mamelons