Anatomy of the Tooth

Which of the following teeth has a single root?

What is the term for the area of the root located between the cervical line and the furcation area?

What is the name of the facial surface of anterior teeth?

Which of the following surfaces is nearest to the tongue?

What is the name of the surface of a maxillary or mandibular tooth that can also be called the palatal surface?

What is the term for the surfaces of the premolars and molars that come in contact with those in the opposite jaw during the act of closure?

What is the name of the surface of a posterior tooth that is involved in the act of chewing?

How many roots do maxillary molars have?

What is the hard, outermost layer of the crown?

What is the junction where the crown and root meet called?

What covers the anatomic root?

What is the part of the tooth visible in the oral cavity?

What happens to the gingival margin in a partially erupted tooth?

What is the result of gingival recession in an old person?

What is the relationship between the clinical crown and anatomic crown in a healthy mouth?

What covers the root portion of the tooth?

External Parts of the Tooth

A tooth has three main external parts: Crown, Neck, and Root
The Crown is covered with Enamel, and the Root is covered with Cementum
The Crown and Root join at the Cemento-Enamel Junction (CEJ), also called the Cervical Line

Anatomic and Clinical Crown and Root

Anatomic Crown: the part of the tooth normally covered by Enamel
Anatomic Root: the part of a tooth covered by Cementum
Cervical Line separates the Anatomic Crown from the Anatomic Root
Clinical Crown: the amount of tooth visible in the oral cavity
Clinical Root: the amount of tooth not visible, covered with Gingiva (gum tissue)

Gingival Margin and Its Effects

Gingival Margin: the edge of the Gingiva
Gingival Margin does not always follow the Cervical Line due to eruption or recession
Gingival Margin position affects the length of the Clinical Crown and Root

Number of Roots for Each Tooth

Single Root: all Anterior teeth, Mandibular Premolars, and Maxillary Second Premolar
Two Roots with Bifurcation: Mandibular Molars and Maxillary First Premolar
Three Roots with Trifurcation: Maxillary Molars
Root Trunk: the area of the root between the Cervical Line and the Furcation area

Tooth Surfaces

Facial Surface: the surface toward the face
- Labial Surface: the facial surface of Anterior teeth (Incisors and Canines), next to the lips
- Buccal Surface: the facial surface of Posterior teeth (Premolars and Molars), next to the cheek
Lingual Surface: the surface nearest the tongue
- Palatal Surface: the Lingual Surface in the Maxillary arch, due to its proximity to the palate
Mesial Surface (Proximal): the surface between two adjacent teeth
Distal Surface (Proximal): the surface between two adjacent teeth
Functioning Surface: the chewing/biting surface of teeth
- Occlusal Surface: the chewing surface of a Posterior tooth, comes into contact with the opposing jaw during closure

Learn about the external main parts of a tooth, including the crown, neck, and root, and how they relate to enamel, cementum, and the cemento-enamel junction.