Dental Anatomy Introduction

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following are components of the oral cavity? (Select all that apply)

Tongue (correct)

Cheek (correct)

Lips (correct)

Teeth (correct)

Gums (correct)

What are the two parts of the palate?

Hard palate and soft palate

The area between the inside of the cheek and the teeth and gums is known as the vestibule. (True/False)

True

The cheeks constitute the area of the face below the eyes and between the nose and the left or right ear. 'Buccal' means relating to the ________.

cheek Signup and view all the answers

Which teeth are responsible for tearing food?

Canines Signup and view all the answers

Match the following dentition types with their corresponding age ranges:

Primary dentition = 6 months to 6 years Mixed dentition = 6 years to 12 years Permanent dentition = From 12 years onwards Signup and view all the answers

How many well-developed functioning cusps does the maxillary first molar typically have?

Four Signup and view all the answers

The maxillary first molar is normally the smallest tooth in the maxillary arch.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the supplemental cusp of the maxillary first molar called?

Cusp of Carabelli Signup and view all the answers

The fifth cusp of the maxillary first molar is used to identify the tooth. It is also known as the cusp or tubercle of ________.

Carabelli Signup and view all the answers

Match the following molar aspects with their descriptions:

Buccal Aspect = Geometric outline is trapezoid, visible cusps include mesiobuccal, distobuccal, mesiolingual, and distolingual Lingual Aspect = Lingual cusps are visible, large mesiolingual cusp, fifth cusp attached to mesiolingual cusp, lingual root conical Mesial Aspect = Visible cusps are mesiobuccal, mesiolingual, and fifth cusps, irregular buccal and lingual outlines, mesial root broad and flattened Distal Aspect = Similar to mesial aspect, distal marginal ridge dipping sharply, convex distal surface, roots visible Signup and view all the answers

Which three grooves radiate out from the central fossa in a maxillary first molar?

central, transverse groove of oblique ridge, and buccal. Signup and view all the answers

Which cusp on a maxillary first molar has two ridges: one that forms part of a transverse ridge and the other that forms part of an oblique ridge?

Mesiolingual Signup and view all the answers

Which cusp is the largest and longest on a maxillary second molar?

Mesiolingual Signup and view all the answers

Which cusp is most likely to be absent on a maxillary second molar?

Distolingual Signup and view all the answers

Of the four fossae on a maxillary first molar, which is the largest?

Central circular fossa Signup and view all the answers

Which molars have the greatest morphological variance of all teeth?

third molars Signup and view all the answers

Which molars include the 'cusp of Carabelli'?

maxillary 1st molar Signup and view all the answers

Which molars present the most supplementary grooves?

3rd molar Signup and view all the answers

Other than the 'Cusp of Carabelli', which cusp is likely to be absent on the maxillary second or third molars?

Distolingual Signup and view all the answers

Which two cusps have triangular ridges that make up or join to form the oblique ridge on the maxillary molar?

Mesiolingual and Distobuccal Signup and view all the answers

The molar that exhibits 3 roots and is trifurcated?

maxillary molars Signup and view all the answers

What are the three major developmental grooves connected to the central groove in a maxillary 1st molar?

transverse, central fossa buccal, and distal oblique Signup and view all the answers

When comparing maxillary 1st molars to maxillary 2nd molars, all of the following distinguishes one from the other EXCEPT:

The distolingual cusp is wider than the mesiolingual cusp on the maxillary 2nd molar Signup and view all the answers

Which molar can present with a rhomboidal or a heart-shaped occlusal table?

maxillary 2nd molar Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Oral Cavity

Consists of: lips, gingiva, cheek, tongue, floor of mouth, palate (soft and hard), and teeth
Gingiva: soft tissue covering tooth root, consists of free gingiva and attached gingiva
Interdental papilla: free gingiva present between teeth

Gingiva

Alveolar mucosa
Mucogingival junction
Attached gingiva
Free gingival groove
Free gingiva
Interdental papilla

Cheeks

Constute the area of the face below the eyes and between the nose and the left or right ear
Buccal means relating to the cheek
Vestibule or buccal pouch or buccal cavity: area between the inside of the cheek and the teeth and gums

Tongue

Consists of muscle fibers and glands
Importance: has an important role in speaking, taste, mixing food, swallowing, and teeth cleaning

Macro-anatomy of Tongue

Anterior two-thirds: papillary part
Posterior one-third: lymphatic part
Separated by sulcus terminalis

Floor of Mouth

Area beneath the tongue containing blood vessels and salivary glands

Palate

Roof of mouth divided into two parts: hard palate and soft palate
Hard palate: anterior part, consists of incisive papilla, rugae area, and median palatine raphe
Soft palate: posterior part, redder than hard palate
Uvula: small soft structure hanging from the center of the posterior part of the soft palate

Teeth

Arranged in two arches or two jaws (upper and lower)
Upper arch: fixed in maxilla, upper teeth called maxillary teeth
Lower arch: attached to the mandible (movable jaw), lower teeth called mandibular teeth
Midline: imaginary vertical line dividing the dental arch into two equal halves
Occlusal plane: imaginary horizontal line where upper teeth occlude with lower teeth
Each dental arch can be divided into two halves, resulting in four quadrants

Teeth Function

1-mastication: incisors cutting food, canine wedge shape for tearing food, premolars and molars grinding food
2-appearance
3-speech
4-growth of jaw: if the child eats on one side, the growth of the jaw will be unilateral

Teeth Types

Incisors
Canines
Premolars
Molars

Incisors

Two front teeth in each quadrant
Central incisor: first tooth next to the midline
Lateral incisor: second tooth

Canine

Corner stone and the third tooth from the midline
One canine in each quadrant

Premolars

Two premolars in each quadrant
Fourth and fifth teeth from the midline

Molars

Three molars in each quadrant
Sixth, seventh, and eighth teeth from the midline

Types of Dentition

Primary dentition: 6 months to 6 years, called deciduous dentition, milky teeth, or predecessors
Mixed dentition: 6 years to 12 years, period with both permanent and deciduous teeth
Permanent dentition: from 12 years, called permanent or secondary or adult teeth or successors

Primary Dentition

Begin at 6 months by eruption of lower first deciduous incisor
Last deciduous tooth erupts at 24 months, upper second deciduous molar
At 3 years old, all deciduous teeth reach the occlusal plane
20 teeth in total, 2 incisors, one canine, 2 molars in each quadrant

Mixed Dentition

Begins at 6 years by eruption of lower first permanent molar
Ends at 12 years by shedding of the last deciduous tooth, upper canine
Shedding: physiological loss of deciduous teeth
Called "ugly duckling stage" due to space of shedded teeth, teeth of different sizes, and gingivitis

Permanent Dentition

Begins at 12 years, complete over the life
32 teeth in total, 2 incisors, 1 canine, 2 premolars, 3 molars in each quadrant
Note: permanent molars have no predecessors, permanent premolars are the successors of deciduous molars

Dental Formula

Used to differentiate between human teeth and teeth of other species
Indicates the dentition of one side of the mouth only
Human permanent teeth formula: I 2 C 1 P 2 M 3
Human deciduous teeth formula: I 2 C 1 M 2

Permanent Maxillary Molars

Maxillary First Molar

The crown of the maxillary first molar is wider buccolingually than mesiodistally and has four well-developed functioning cusps (mesiobuccal, distobuccal, mesiolingual, and distolingual) and one supplemental cusp (Cusp of Carabelli).
The mesiobuccal cusp is broader than the distobuccal cusp, and its mesial slope meets its distal slope at an obtuse angle.
The mesial outline of the crown is straight downward and mesially, until it reaches the crest of contour at the contact area.
The distal outline of the crown is convex until it reaches the distal contact area.
All three roots may be seen from the buccal aspect, with the lingual root being the longest, and the two buccal roots being approximately equal in length.
The roots are not straight, although the buccal roots show an inclination to curvature halfway between the point of bifurcation and the apices.

Lingual Aspect

The lingual cusps are the only ones to be seen from the lingual aspect.
The mesiolingual cusp is much larger, with a mesiodistal width of about three-fifths of the mesiodistal crown diameter.

Mesial Aspect

The only cusps seen from this aspect are the mesiobuccal, mesiolingual, and the fifth cusps.
The buccal outline of the crown curves outward and buccally, making a short arc.

Distal Aspect

The outline of the distal aspect is similar to that of the mesial aspect.
The distal marginal ridge dips sharply in a cervical direction, exposing the distal portion of the occlusal surface of the crown.

Occlusal Aspect

The occlusal aspect of the maxillary first molar is somewhat rhomboidal.
The four major cusps are well developed, with the small minor, or fifth, cusp appearing on the lingual surface of the mesiolingual cusp near the mesiolingual line angle of the crown.

Pulp Cavity

The mesiobuccal root is often very wide buccolingually and usually possesses an accessory canal (MB2).
The pulp horns are usually prominent, and the palatal root usually has the largest canal.

Cervical Cross Section

The cervical outline form of the maxillary first molar is rhomboidal with rounded corners.

Maxillary Second Molar

The crown of the maxillary second molar is a little shorter cervico-occlusally and narrower mesiodistally than the maxillary first molar.
The distobuccal cusp is smaller, allowing part of the distal marginal ridge and part of the distolingual cusp to be seen.
The buccal roots are about the same length, and they are more nearly parallel and inclined distally more than those of the maxillary first molar.

Maxillary Third Molar

The maxillary third molar often appears as a developmental anomaly.
The crown is smaller, and the roots are shorter, with a tendency toward fusion with the resultant anchorage of one tapered root.
The occlusal surface may present a heart-shaped outline, with a large lingual cusp and a small or absent distolingual cusp.

Questions

The three grooves that radiate out from the central fossa in a maxillary first molar are the central, transverse groove of the oblique ridge, and buccal.
The mesiolingual cusp on a maxillary first molar has two ridges: one that forms part of a transverse ridge and the other that forms part of an oblique ridge.
The largest cusp on a maxillary second molar is the mesiolingual.
The distolingual cusp is most likely to be absent on a maxillary second molar.
The central circular fossa is the largest of the four fossae on a maxillary first molar.### Dental Anatomy References
Several authors have contributed to the study of dental anatomy, including Ash, Black, Carabelli, Carbonell, Carlsen, Diamond, Hopewell-Smith, Kraus, Jordan, Abrams, Tomes, and Woelfel.
The publications span from 1842 (Carabelli's "Anatomie des Mundes") to 1997 (Woelfel and Scheid's "Dental anatomy: its relevance to dentistry").
The references cover various aspects of dental anatomy, including tooth form, descriptive anatomy, morphology, and occlusion.
Some authors have specifically studied the tubercle of Carabelli, an anomaly of the maxillary molar teeth.

Notable Works

Wheeler's Atlas of Tooth Form (ed 5, 1984) by Ash MM
Descriptive Anatomy of the Human Teeth (ed 4, 1897) by Black GV
Anatomie des Mundes (1842) by Carabelli G
Dental Anatomy (1929) by Diamond M
A Manual of Dental Anatomy (1894) by Tomes CS

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Description

This quiz covers the introduction to dental anatomy, including oral cavity, periods of dentition, macro and micro anatomy, dental formula, and point angle-line angle division. Test your knowledge on these essential dental anatomy topics.