Dental Anatomy, Physiology and Occlusion

The Primary (Deciduous) Teeth (Dental Anatomy, Physiology and Occlusion) Part 2

Detailed Description of Each Primary Tooth MAXILLARY CENTRAL INCISOR Labial Aspect In the crown of the primary central incisor, the mesiodistal diameter is greater than the cervicoincisal length (Figures 3-10 and 3-11, A). (The opposite is true of permanent central incisors.) Figure 3-8 Permanent central incisor. A, Pulp canal; B, pulp horns. This figure represents […]

The Primary (Deciduous) Teeth (Dental Anatomy, Physiology and Occlusion) Part 3

Maxillary Canine Labial Aspect Except for the root form, the labial aspect of the maxillary canine does not resemble either the central or the lateral incisor (Figure 3-16; see also Figure 3-11, C). The crown is more constricted at the cervix in relation to its mesiodistal width, and the mesial and distal surfaces are more […]

The Primary (Deciduous) Teeth (Dental Anatomy, Physiology and Occlusion) Part 4

Mesial Aspect From the mesial aspect, the dimension at the cervical third is greater than the dimension at the occlusal third (Figure 3-23, A). This is true of all molar forms, but it is more pronounced on primary than on permanent teeth. The mesio-lingual cusp is longer and sharper than the mesiobuccal cusp. A pronounced […]

The Primary (Deciduous) Teeth (Dental Anatomy, Physiology and Occlusion) Part 5

Occlusal Aspect From the occlusal aspect, this tooth resembles the permanent first molar (see Figures 3-24 and 3-26, 3). It is somewhat rhomboidal and has four well-developed cusps and one supplemental cusp: mesiobuccal, distobuccal, mesiolingual, distolingual, and fifth cusps. The buccal surface is rather flat with the developmental groove between the cusps less marked than […]

Forensics, Comparative Anatomy, Geometries, and Form and Function (Dental Anatomy, Physiology and Occlusion) Part 1

This topic includes brief discussions of forensic dentistry, comparative dental anatomy, and some relationships of form to function in the permanent dentition. The limited space allotted to these subjects should not suggest that they lack importance. The literature on these subjects is extensive, and the reader should review the references cited for additional information. Forensic […]

Forensics, Comparative Anatomy, Geometries, and Form and Function (Dental Anatomy, Physiology and Occlusion) Part 2

Tooth Form and Jaw Movements In general terms, the primates are bunodont and relatively isognathous and therefore have limited lateral jaw movement. Bunodont refers to tooth-bearing conical cusps. Isog-nathous means equally jawed; anisognathus means unequally jawed. Humans are not perfectly isognathous (i.e., the maxillary arch overlaps horizontally the mandibular arch). The shape of the glenoid […]

Forensics, Comparative Anatomy, Geometries, and Form and Function (Dental Anatomy, Physiology and Occlusion) Part 3

Form and Function of the Permanent Dentition The relationship between the form of the teeth and function is usually discussed in terms of type of food in the diet of humans, jaw movements, and protection of the perio-dontium and stimulation of the gingiva. It is also recognized that the teeth not only contribute to the […]

Orofacial Complex: Form and Function (Dental Anatomy, Physiology and Occlusion) Part 1

This topic discusses primarily the physiological form of the teeth and periodontium. Form and Function The phrase form and function reflects a concept of interrelation of the shape or attributes of something with its function. In dentistry the phrase may indicate the entire masticatory system, acting as a biomechanical engine for the reduction of food. […]

Orofacial Complex: Form and Function (Dental Anatomy, Physiology and Occlusion) Part 2

Interproximal Spaces (Formed by Proximal Surfaces in Contact) The interproximal spaces between the teeth are triangularly shaped spaces normally filled by gingival tissue (gingival papillae). The base of the triangle is the alveolar process, the sides of the triangle are the proximal surfaces of the contacting teeth, and the apex of the triangle is in […]

Orofacial Complex: Form and Function (Dental Anatomy, Physiology and Occlusion) Part 3

Maxillary Teeth Central Incisors The contact areas mesially on both central incisors are located at the incisal third of the crowns. Since the mesio-incisal third of these teeth approaches a right angle, the incisal embrasure is very slight. Central and Lateral Incisors The distal outline of the central incisor crown is rounded. The lateral incisor […]

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