Dental Anatomy Overview

Dental Anatomy

• Teeth are categorized by shape and function into four types: incisors, canines, premolars, and molars.
• Incisors are flat and sharp, used for cutting and slicing food.
• Canines are pointed, used for tearing and shredding food.
• Premolars have a complex shape with cusps, used for grinding and crushing food.
• Molars have broad surfaces with multiple cusps, used for grinding and pulverizing food.
• Each tooth has a crown (visible portion), a neck (where crown meets root), and one or more roots (anchoring the tooth in the jawbone).
• Key components of a tooth include enamel, dentin, pulp, and cementum.
• Enamel, the hardest substance in the human body, protects the crown.
• Dentin, a hard, yellowish tissue, forms the bulk of the tooth; it is beneath the enamel.
• Pulp, a soft connective tissue with blood vessels and nerves, is located in the center of the tooth.
• Cementum, a hard, bone-like tissue, covers the root and anchors the tooth.
• Teeth erupt sequentially throughout childhood and adolescence.
• Jaw development and growth guide eruption.
• Efficient mastication depends on the arrangement of teeth in the arches.

Occlusion

• Occlusion describes the way upper and lower teeth meet when jaws are closed.
• Occlusion involves the arrangement of teeth, supporting structures, and jaw muscles.
• Ideal occlusion features specific contacts between upper and lower teeth.
• Normal occlusion is essential for chewing, speech, and aesthetics.
• Malocclusion is a deviation from normal tooth relationship.
• Malocclusions can cause chewing difficulties, speech impediments, and aesthetic concerns.
• Common malocclusions include overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites.
• Overbites occur when upper teeth significantly overlap lower teeth.
• Underbites occur when lower teeth significantly overlap upper teeth.
• Crossbites occur when one or more upper teeth bite on the inside of lower teeth.
• Open bites exist when there's a space between upper and lower teeth.
• Malocclusions stem from genetics, oral habits, and trauma.
• Malocclusions have classifications based on severity and affected teeth.
• Treatment for malocclusion involves orthodontic appliances (like braces) and other interventions.
• Healthy occlusion supports not only teeth and gums, but also overall facial structure and jaw function.
• The temporomandibular joint (TMJ), connecting jawbone to skull, significantly influences occlusion.
• TMJ dysfunction can lead to pain and restricted jaw movement, affecting occlusion.
• Tooth positions and contact relationships during various jaw movements are vital for balanced occlusion.
• Appropriate facial bone development and eruption patterns contribute to the correct occlusion.
• Centric occlusion defines the tooth position with the jaw in a natural resting position; eccentric occlusion is the tooth position during jaw movements.

Explore the basic structure and types of teeth with this quiz on dental anatomy. Learn about the four main types of teeth—incisors, canines, premolars, and molars—and their functions. Understand the components of a tooth, including enamel, dentin, pulp, and cementum.