1. Tooth Morphology

2. Dentition Dentition Arch Natural teeth in position in the dental arch.
One row of teeth in the mouth.
Maxillary
Upper teeth
Mandibular
Lower teeth

3. Numbers of teeth Permanent Primary 32 total 20 total 16 each arch
20 succedaneous
Replace baby teeth!
Primary
20 total
10 each arch
NO pre-molars
NO 3rd molars

4. Quadrants Each arch is divided into R + L. Max. R. quadrant
Midline
Max. R. quadrant
URQ
Max. L. quadrant
ULQ
Man. L quadrant
LLQ
Man. R quadrant
LRQ

5. Sextants 6 sections of the mouth Maxillary Mandibular
3 of each arch
Maxillary
Max. R. Post. Sextant
Max. Anterior Sextant
Max. L. Post. Sextant
Mandibular
Mand. L. Post. Sextant
Mand. Anterior Sextant
Mand. R. Post. Sextant

6. Tooth surfaces Anterior Posterior Proximal surfaces? Example
Facial / Labial
Lingual
Mesial
Distal
Incisal edge
Posterior
Facial / Buccal
Occlusal
Proximal surfaces?
Surfaces of adjacent teeth closest to each other.
Mesial / Distal
Midline
Mesial / Mesial
Example
You floss the proximal surfaces of a tooth.
Your floss would be interproximal.
Between the proximal surfaces.

7. Tooth Relationships Antagonistic (Antagonists) Adjacent
Teeth that work together to chew
Same tooth in the opposite arch.
#1 and #32
#14 and #19
Adjacent
Teeth next to each other in the same arch.
#17 and #18

8. Tooth descriptions Convex Concave Outward curve Bulge
Rounded projection
Concave
Inward curve
Recessed area
Opposite of convex
 convex
Concave 

9. Tooth Morphology Contact point Diastema
Where adjacent teeth touch each other.
Diastema
Aka open contact
Naturally occurring ‘gap’ between teeth
Common #8 #9
Any 2 teeth/arch 

10. Tooth Morphology Embrasure Cingulum
Triangular space between the contact and the gingiva.
Cingulum
Lump of enamel
Lingual surface
@ the gum line.
Maxillary incisors

11. Tooth Morphology Lobes Cusp Underdeveloped cusps.
Pointed or round mound of enamel.
Form the ‘bumps’ on the chewing surface of molars and premolars.
“cuspid”!

12. Tooth Morphology Fossa Developmental groove. Round Triangular Linear
“low spot” /
recessed area
On a surface
Between cusps or ridges.
Developmental groove.
Linear
“low spot” / recessed area
Usually occlusal surface
Between cusps

13. Tooth Morphology Fissure Pit Imperfect union of cusps
Appears as a small “crack”
Located at the bottom of a developmental groove
Pit
Where fissures cross or end.
Sealants are placed in pits and fissures to prevent decay.

14. Tooth Morphology Mamelons Cusp of Carabelli 3 small cusps
Incisal edge
Newly erupted incisors.
Wear down w/ use.
Cusp of Carabelli
5th/ additional cusp
Lingual surface
Maxillary 1st molars
#3 + #14

15. Tooth Morphology Ridges Marginal ridges
Elevated lines of enamel between cusps.
Many examples
Marginal ridges
Form the mesial + distal borders of the tooth.
Extend between the buccal and lingual cusps

16. Tooth Morphology Crown Root(s) Apex Apical foramen Top of the tooth
Covered w/ enamel
Root(s)
Bottom of the tooth
Covered w/ cementum
Apex
End of the root
Apical foramen
apex

17. Tooth Morphology Furcation Dividing point of roots Bifurcation
Of a multi-rooted tooth
Bifurcation
2 roots
Trifurcation
3 roots
Furcation 

18. Tooth tissue junctions
CEJ
Cementoenamel junction
Where enamel meets cementum.
Around the outside of the tooth.
DEJ
Dentinoenamel junction
Where enamel meets the dentin.
Under the enamel

19. Permanent Tooth descriptions!
Max. Cent. Incisors
Numbers: 8, 9
# of roots: 1
Nerve: ASA
Type of injection:
Infiltration
Succedaneous: yes
Replaces E and F
Function
Cut
Max. Lat. Incisors
7, 10
1 roots
ASA
Infiltration
Succedaneous: yes
Replaces: D, G
Most anomalies.
Function
Cut

20. Permanent Tooth Descriptions!
Max. Cuspid / canine
6 + 11
1 root (Longest)
“cornerstone” of the mouth
ASA
Infiltration
Succedaneous: yes
Replace C, H
Function
Tear / cut
Max 1st premolar / bicuspid
5 + 12
2 roots
Only premolar w/ 2 roots
Removed for ortho
MSA
Infiltration
Succedaneous: yes
Replace B, I
Function
Chew

21. Permanent Tooth Descriptions!
Max 2nd Premolar
4 + 13
1 root
MSA
Infiltration
Succedaneous: yes
Replace A , J
Function
Chew
Max 1st Molars
3 + 14
6 year molars
Cusp of carabelli
3 roots
PSA
MSA MB root
Infiltration
Not Succedaneous
Function
Grind
Chew

22. Permanent Tooth Descriptions!
Max 2nd Molars
2 + 15
(12 year molars)
3 roots
PSA
Infiltration
Not succedaneous
Function
Grind
Chew
Max 3rd Molars
1 + 16
(wisdom teeth)
3 roots
PSA
Infiltration
Not succedaneous
Function
Grind
Chew

23. Permanent Tooth descriptions!
Mandibular Central Incisors
1 root
Incisive nerve
Infiltration
Succedaneous: yes
Replaces O + P
Function
cut
Mandibular lateral Incisors
1 root
Incisive nerve
Infiltration
Succedaneous: yes
Replaces N + Q
Function
cut

24. Permanent Tooth Descriptions!
Mandibular Cuspid / Canine
1 root
Incisive nerve
Infiltration
Succedaneous: yes
Replaces M + R
Function
Tear / cut
Mandibular 1st Premolar / bicuspid
1 root
IA (inferior alveolar)
Block
Mandibular foramen
Succedaneous: yes
Replaces L + S
Function
chew

25. Permanent Tooth Descriptions!
Mandibular 2nd Premolar / bicuspid
1 root
IA nerve
Block
Succedaneous: yes
Replaces K + T
Function
Chew
Mandibular 1st Molars
2 roots
IA nerve
Block
Not Succedaneous
Function
Chew, grind, pulverize

26. Permanent Tooth descriptions!
Mandibular 2nd Molars
2 roots
IA nerve
Block
Not succedaneous
Function
Grind, chew, pulverize
Mandibular 3rd Molars (wisdom teeth)
2 roots
IA nerve
Block
Not succedaneous
Function (if in occlusion)
Grind, chew, pulverize

27. Primary Tooth Descriptions
Aka
Deciduous
Baby
Milk
Denoted / Labeled
A – T
ABC’s
Alphabetically
Letters not numbers No
Premolars
3rd molars
Roots
Max molars
3 roots
Mand molars
2 roots
Cuspid / canine and incisors
All 1 root.

28. Naming a Tooth! Arch 1st Side 2nd Position 3rd Type of tooth 4th
Max or Mand
Side 2nd
Right / left
Position 3rd
Central / Lateral
1st / 2nd / 3rd
Type of tooth 4th
Molar / premolar / cuspid / incisor
Examples
Permanent teeth #2
Max R. 2nd Molar
#21
Mand L. 1st Premolar
Primary teeth #B
Max R. 1st primary molar

29. Conclusion
Knowing your tooth names and numbers is critical to being a successful dental assistant.
Understanding morphology terminology will make it easier to communicate with your dentist.
Do you have any questions?