Dental Hygiene: Tooth ID Exam Notes

Tooth Identification Exam Study Guide

Determining Maxillary (Top) vs. Mandibular (Bottom) Teeth

  • Molars:

    • Maxillary molars: Typically have three roots.

    • Mandibular molars: Typically have two roots. (Maxillary molars≠Mandibular molars)(\text{Maxillary molars} \neq \text{Mandibular molars})

  • Incisors:

    • Maxillary incisors: Crowns are larger compared to mandibular incisors.

    • Mandibular incisors: Smallest teeth overall.

  • Premolars:

    • Proximal View: Examine the tooth from its side.

      • Maxillary premolars: Wider crown compared to mandibular premolars.

      • Mandibular premolars: Narrower crown.

    • Root Variation: Maxillary premolars may or may not have two roots; rely on the crown width for identification.

  • Wisdom Teeth (Third Molars):

    • Mandibular wisdom teeth: Resemble smaller, groovier mandibular molars (more grooves on the occlusal surface).

    • Maxillary wisdom teeth: Tend to be round, heart-shaped, or triangle-shaped from the occlusal view. Grooves indicate it's a wisdom tooth.

  • Canines:

    • Shape of Crown:

      • Mandibular canines: Straighter sides, appear skinnier.

      • Maxillary canines: More rounded and bulbous.

    • Widest Part of Crown:

      • Mandibular canines: Widest part aligns near the midline. Envision a box drawn around the crown.

      • Maxillary canines: Widest part aligns towards the top.

      • Profile: Mandibular canines are less bulbous, especially when viewed from the side, compared to the bulkier maxillary canines.

Identifying Specific Teeth Within the Dental Arch

  • For each arch there are:

    • Two incisors: central and lateral.

    • Two premolars: first and second.

    • Three molars: first, second, and a wisdom tooth.

Maxillary Incisors

  • Central Incisor:

    • Widest tooth when viewed from the facial aspect.

    • Appears skinny at the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) and flares out towards the incisal edge.

  • Lateral Incisor:

    • Key Feature: Prominent marginal ridges and a noticeable lingual fossa on the lingual side.

    • Lingual Pit: Visible lingual pit.

Mandibular Incisors

  • Central Incisor:

    • Symmetric in appearance.

  • Lateral Incisor:

    • Distal Twist: Turn to the side to observe a twist towards the distal.

    • Incisal Edge: Inclines distally, higher on the mesial side and slopes downward towards the distal.

Maxillary Premolars

  • First Premolar:

    • Mesial Concavity: Prominent and deep mesial concavity. (Deep Mesial Concavity)(\text{Deep Mesial Concavity})

    • Cusp Tips: Sharper cusp tips.

    • Occlusal View: Bend visible.

  • Second Premolar:

    • Shape: Rounder shape compared to the first premolar.

    • Cusp Tips: Less sharp.

    • Occlusal View: More rounded appearance.

Mandibular Molars

  • First Molar:

    • Occlusal View: Five cusps present. Looks like a flower.

    • Buccal Aspect: Three cusps at the front and two at the back, including a distal cusp.

  • Second Molar:

    • Occlusal View: Four cusps with a cross pattern present. (Hot cross buns)(\text{Hot cross buns})

Maxillary Molars

  • First Molar:

    • Root Proximity: Roots are wider apart.

    • Crown Size: Larger, rhomboid shape.

  • Second Molar:

    • Root Proximity: Roots are closer together.

    • Crown Size: Smaller, skinnier square shape when compared to the first molar.

Mandibular Premolars

  • First Premolar:

    • Lingual Cusp: Very tiny and nonfunctional.

    • Occlusal View: Crown outline resembles ET's head; rounder shape.

  • Second Premolar:

    • Occlusal View: More square shape.

    • Lingual Cusps: Typically has two or three lingual cusps that are more prominent and almost at the same height as the buccal cusp.