Dental Anatomy Lecture 1

Dental Anatomy Lecture 1

Introduction

• Dental anatomy involves the study of teeth and their related structures.
• Man is a heterodont, meaning he has different-shaped teeth.
• Man is also a diphyodont, meaning he has two sets of teeth: deciduous and permanent teeth.

Deciduous Teeth (Temporary or Primary)

• At birth, there are no teeth present in the mouth, but many teeth are in various stages of development in the jaws.
• Eruption of deciduous teeth starts at 6 months and lasts until 2.5 years.
• Deciduous teeth stay until the permanent teeth erupt at around 6 years of age.
• There are 20 deciduous teeth in total, with the following formula: I = Incisors (central and lateral), C = Canine, M = Molars (first and second).

Permanent Teeth (Secondary)

• The transition to permanent dentition begins with the emergence and eruption of the first permanent molars at around 6 years of age.
• The process of replacing deciduous teeth with permanent teeth takes about 20 years to complete.
• There are 32 permanent teeth in total, including third molars when present, with the following formula: I = Incisors (central and lateral), C = Canine, P = Premolars (first and second), M = Molars (first, second, and third).

Tooth Classification

• Teeth are grouped into:
  • Anterior teeth (incisors and canines)
  • Posterior teeth (premolars and molars)

The Jaws

• The jaw is the bone that carries the teeth.
• There are two jaws:
  • The upper jaw (maxilla), which is fixed, carrying maxillary teeth.
  • The lower jaw (mandible), which is movable, carrying mandibular teeth.

Additional Notes

• In the permanent formula, premolars have been added, replacing deciduous molars, and third molars have been added.
• The first permanent molar appears in the mouth before any of the deciduous teeth are exfoliated.