Dental Anatomy

Tooth Types
• Anterior
– Incisors= cutting, esthetics, phonetics
– Canines= tearing
• Posterior
– Premolars= holding
– Molars= chewing
 Tooth Views
• Facial, Labial (A), Buccal (P)
• Lingual, Palatal (U)
• Mesial
• Distal
• Incisal (A), Occlusal (P)
• Internal
 Terms
• Cusp= pointed elevation
• Tubercle= atypical elevation
• Lobe= center of calcification
• Mamelons= small incisal bumps
• Perikymata= tiny cervical ridges
• Imbrication lines= tiny cervical grooves
• Height of contour= widest part
• Proximal contact= touches adjacent tooth
• Embrasure= space around teeth
 Terms
• Groove= linear depression
• Fossa= rounded depression
• Fissure= imperfect groove
• Pit= imperfect fossa
• Ridge= linear elevation
• Cingulum= lingual convexity
 Terms
• Apex= end of root
• Apical foramen= opening at apex
• Furcation= branch point of roots
• CEJ= where cementum and enamel meet
• Root trunk= between CEJ and furcation
 General Trends
• Missing: 3rd molar > mand 2nd premolar > max lateral most likely to be missing
• Tallest: mand canine > max central > max canine
• All teeth are wider FL than MD except maxillary incisors and mandibular
molars
• All teeth have facial HOC in cervical third except mandibular molars in middle
third
• All teeth have lingual HOC in cervical third (anterior) or middle third
(posterior) except mand 2nd premolars in occlusal third
• Crown height decreases and root trunk length increases as you go distally
• Lingual embrasures are larger than facial embrasures
Dental Anatomy
 Maxillary Central
• #8, #9
 Facial Aspect
• Trapezoid from facial view
 Facial Aspect
• IC > MD
• Second tallest crown
• Widest anterior tooth
• Wider and longer than maxillary laterals
 Facial Aspect
• Incisal edge perpendicular to long axis
• Develops from 4 lobes
• All permanent incisors erupt with 3 mamelons
 Facial Aspect
• Mesioincisal corner is 90 degrees
• Distoincisal corner is rounded
 Facial Aspect
• Root tends to point distal
 Facial Aspect
• Imbrication lines and perikymata
• Flat crown and root except for cervical
third of crown
 Facial Aspect
• Mesial HOC is in incisal third
• Distal HOC is at junction of incisal and
middle thirds
 Lingual Aspect
• Narrower than facial aspect
• Cervical line is deeper than facial
• Cervical line is convex toward the apex
 Mesial Aspect
• Triangle from side view
 Mesial Aspect
• Facial and lingual HOCs are in cervical third
• Cervical line is concave toward the apex
 Mesial Aspect
4
• Incisal edge, proximal contact, height
of CEJ, and apex all fall on long axis
 Distal Aspect
• Cervical line is flatter than mesial
 Incisal Aspect
• MD > FL
 Incisal Aspect
• Cingulum is off slightly to the distal
 Pulp
• Pulp chamber has three pulp horns
• 100% have one pulp canal
 Root
• Triangular cross-section at midroot
 Bite
• Greatest axial inclination
• Inclination progressively decreases as
you go posteriorly
 Summary
• IC > MD > FL
• Greatest axial inclination
• Second tallest crown
• Trapezoid facial
• Triangular side, incisal, and cross-section
• 4 lobes
• 3 pulp horns
• 1 canal
Dental Anatomy
 Maxillary Lateral
• #7, #10
 Facial Aspect
• Trapezoid from facial view
 Facial Aspect
• IC > MD
• Distoincisal corner is rounded
• Root tends to point distal
• Mesial HOC is at junction of incisal and middle
thirds
• Distal HOC is in middle third
• Narrowest maxillary tooth
 Facial Aspect
• Convex crown and root
• Develops from 4 lobes
 Lingual Aspect
• Most prominent marginal ridges of all anterior
teeth
• Most distinct and deepest lingual fossa of all
anterior teeth
 Mesial Aspect
• Triangle from side view
• Facial and lingual HOCs are in cervical third
• Cervical line is concave toward apex
 Distal Aspect
• Cervical line is flatter
• Proximal contact is more cervically placed
 Incisal Aspect
• MD = FL
• Facial surface dominates this view
 Common Anomalies
• Peg lateral
• Lingual pit
• Palatogingival groove
• Hawk bill
• Talon cusp
• Dens in dente
 Pulp
• Pulp chamber has three pulp horns (or
one if peg)
• 100% have one pulp canal
 Root
• Oval cross-section at midroot
 Summary
• IC > MD = FL
• Narrowest maxillary tooth
• Most likely malformed tooth
• Trapezoid facial
• Triangular side
• Oval cross-section
• 4 lobes
• 3 pulp horns
• 1 canal
Dental Anatomy
 Mandibular Central
• #24, 25
 Mandibular Central
• 2/3 width of the maxillary central
• Other than upper third molars, the only
tooth with only one opposing tooth
 Facial Aspect
• Trapezoid from facial view
• Smallest and most symmetrical tooth
• Sharpest mesioincisal and distoincisal corners
• Shortest root
 Lingual Aspect
• Less prominent marginal ridges and cingulum
 Mesial Aspect
• Incisal edge falls lingual relative to long axis
• Developmental depression on root surface
 Distal Aspect
• Developmental depression is deeper than on
mesial aspect
• Cervical line is flatter
 Incisal Aspect
• FL > MD
• Has a distal twist
 Pulp
• Pulp chamber has three pulp horns
• 70% have one canal, 30% have two canals
 Root
• Ribbon cross-section at midroot
 Summary
• IC > FL > MD
• Narrowest tooth
• Most symmetrical tooth
• Trapezoid facial
• Triangular side
• Ribbon cross-section
• 4 lobes
• 3 pulp horns
• 1 or 2 canals
Dental Anatomy
 Mandibular Lateral
• #23, 26
 Mandibular Lateral
• Unlike mandibular central, this tooth
has two opposing teeth
 Facial Aspect
• Slightly wider and longer than mandibular central
 Lingual Aspect
• Marginal ridges and cingulum are inconspicuous
 Mesial Aspect
• Distal twist
 Distal Aspect
• Deep root depression
 Incisal Aspect
• FL > MD
 Pulp
• Pulp chamber has three pulp horns
• 55% have one canal, 45% have two canals
 Root
• Ribbon cross-section at midroot
 Summary
• IC > FL > MD
• Distal twist
• Trapezoid facial
• Triangular side
• Ribbon cross-section
• 4 lobes
• 3 pulp horns
• 1 or 2 canals
• Most likely incisor with 2 canals
Dental Anatomy
 Maxillary Canine
• #6, 11
 Maxillary Canine
• Darker color than incisors
• Under the orbit
• Canine eminence
• Longest tooth and root
• Contacts both an anterior and
posterior tooth in ideal occlusion
 Golden Proportion
• From a frontal view:
– Lateral is 2/3 width of central
– Canine is 2/3 width of lateral
 Facial Aspect
• Pentagon from facial view
• Cusp tip in line with long axis
• Mesial cusp ridge slightly shorter than distal
cusp ridge
 Facial Aspect
• Mesial HOC is at junction of incisal and middle
thirds
• Distal HOC is in middle third
 Facial Aspect
• Concave at the CEJ
• Distal bulge
 Facial Aspect
• Root tends to point distal
 Facial Aspect
• Middle facial lobe dominates
• Convex crown
 Facial Aspect
• Developmental depressions separate crown
into thirds
• Convex root
 Lingual Aspect
• Tapers toward the lingual
 Lingual Aspect
• Large cingulum and lingual ridge
• Triangular fossa
 Mesial Aspect
• Cusp tip falls facial relative to long axis
• Long root flute
 Distal Aspect
• Distal root flute is deeper
• Cervical line is flatter
 Incisal Aspect
• FL > MD
• Asymmetric diamond from incisal view
 Pulp
• Pulp chamber has one pulp horn
• 100% have one canal
 Root
• Oval cross-section at midroot
 Summary
• IC > FL > MD
• Longest tooth
• Pentagon facial
• Triangular side
• Diamond incisal
• Oval cross-section
• 4 lobes
• 1 pulp horn
• 1 canal
Dental Anatomy
 Mandibular Canine
• #22, 27
 Facial Aspect
• Straight line from crown to root on mesial
• Cusp tip mesial to long axis
• Mesial cusp ridge slightly shorter than distal
cusp ridge
• Longest crown
 Facial Aspect
• Mesial HOC is at junction of incisal and
middle thirds
• Distal HOC is in middle third
 Facial Aspect
• Root tends to point straight
 Facial Aspect
• Imbrication lines at junction of cervical and
middle thirds
 Lingual Aspect
• Tapers toward the lingual
 Lingual Aspect
• Cingulum, lingual ridge, triangular fossa
• Relatively flat lingual anatomy
 Mesial Aspect
• Cusp tip falls lingual relative to long axis
• Shark arc
 Distal Aspect
• Distal root flute is deeper
• Cervical line is flatter
• Concave DF line angle
 Incisal Aspect
• FL > MD
• Cusp tip slightly lingual and mesial
• Slight distal twist
 Pulp
• Pulp chamber has one pulp horn
• 95% have 1 canal, 5% have 2 canals
 Root
• Oval cross-section at midroot
• Can have bifurcated root
 Summary
• IC > FL > MD
• Shark arc
• Pentagon facial
• Triangular side
• Diamond incisal
• Oval cross-section
• 4 lobes
• 1 pulp horn
• 1 canal
Dental Anatomy
 Maxillary First Premolar
• #5, 12
 Maxillary Premolars
• More oval-shaped than the
mandibular premolars
 Facial Aspect
• Pentagon from facial view
• Cusp slightly distal to long axis
• Mesial cusp ridge slightly longer than distal
cusp ridge
 Facial Aspect
• Mesial HOC is at junction of occlusal and
middle thirds
• Distal HOC is in middle third
• Mesial concavity at CEJ
 Lingual Aspect
• Lingual taper
• Lingual cusp is usually shorter than facial cusp
• Lingual cusp usually points mesial
 Mesial Aspect
• Trapezoid from side view
• Cusp tips line up with root tips
• Facial HOC is in cervical third
• Lingual HOC is in middle third
 Mesial Aspect
• Flat mesial marginal ridge
• MMRG
 Mesial Aspect
• Bifurcation and root trunk noted
• Very deep root flute
• Proximal contact located more facial
 Distal Aspect
• Distal root flute is flatter
• Cervical line is flatter
• DMRG is smaller or absent
 Occlusal Aspect
• FL > MD
• Lingual taper
• Prominent DF line angle
 Occlusal Aspect
• Facial cusp is slightly distal
• Lingual cusp is slightly mesial
 Occlusal Aspect
• Occlusal table
– Mesial and distal cusp ridges and marginal
ridges form boundaries
– Occupies 55% of occlusal surface
• DMR > MMR
 Occlusal Aspect
• Central groove
• Mesial and distal pit
 Occlusal Aspect
• Triangular ridge
• Triangular fossa
 Pulp
• Pulp chamber has two pulp horns
• 85% have two canals, 10% have 1 canal,
5% have 3 canals
 Root
• Kidney bean cross-section at midroot
 Summary
• OC = FL > MD
• MMRG
• Pentagon facial
• Trapezoid side
• Hexagon occlusal
• Kidney bean cross-section
• 4 lobes
• 2 pulp horns
• 2 canals
Dental Anatomy
 Maxillary Second Premolar
• #4, 13
 Facial Aspect
• Blunter facial cusp
• Flatter cervical line
• No mesial concavity
 Lingual Aspect
• Less lingual taper
• Taller lingual cusp
 Mesial Aspect
• No MMRG
• No bifurcation
 Distal Aspect
• Shorter distal marginal ridge
 Occlusal Aspect
• Shorter central groove
• More wrinkled
 Pulp
• Pulp chamber has 2 pulp horns
• 75% have 1 canal, 25% have 2 canals
 Root
• Oval cross-section at midroot
 Summary
• FL > OC > MD
• Short central groove
• Pentagon facial
• Trapezoid side
• Hexagon occlusal
• Oval cross-section
• 4 lobes
• 2 pulp horns
• 1 canal
Dental Anatomy
 Mandibular First Premolar
• #21, 28
 Mandibular Premolars
• More circular than the
maxillary premolars
 Facial Aspect
• Smallest premolar
 Lingual Aspect
• MLDG
 Mesial Aspect
• Rhomboid skewed toward lingual
• Short lingual cusp
 Distal Aspect
• Shorter marginal ridge
 Occlusal Aspect
• Transverse ridge
• Mesial and distal pits
 Occlusal Aspect
• MLDG
 Pulp
• Pulp chamber has 1 or 2 pulp horns
• 75% have 1 canal, 25% have 2 canals
 Root
• Oval cross-section at midroot
 Summary
• OC > FL > MD
• Snake eyes
• Cookie bite
• Pentagon facial
• Rhombus side
• Diamond occlusal
• Oval cross-section
• 4 lobes
• 1 or 2 pulp horns
• 1 canal
Dental Anatomy
 Mandibular Second Premolar
• #20, 29
 Facial Aspect
• Blunter cusps
 Lingual Aspect
• Lingual groove
 Mesial Aspect
• Rhombus shape
• Larger lingual cusp
• No mesial root depression
 Distal Aspect
• Shorter marginal ridge
 Occlusal Aspect
• Multiple lingual cusps
• Lingual groove
• Central pit
 Occlusal Aspect
• Y-type= 1F + 2L cusps, 3 pits, more
common
• U-type= 1F + 1L cusp, crescent groove,
less common
• H-type= 1F + 1L cusp, flat groove, less
common
 Pulp
• Pulp chamber has 2 or 3 pulp horns
• 87% have 1 canal; 13% have 2 canals
 Root
• Oval cross-section at midroot
• Root apex is closest to mental foramen
 Summary
• OC = FL > MD
• 2 or 3 cusps (F > ML > DL), 3 grooves, 3 pits
• Pentagon facial
• Rhombus side
• Pentagon occlusal
• Oval cross-section
• 4 or 5 lobes
• 2 or 3 pulp horns
• 1 canal
Dental Anatomy
 Maxillary First Molar
• #3, 14
• Widest tooth FL
 Facial Aspect
• Trapezoid
• Facial groove in the middle
• Roots are spread out
 Lingual Aspect
• Cusp of Carabelli
• Lingual groove in the middle
 Mesial Aspect
• Trapezoid
• Palatal root= longest
• MF root= widest FL
• DF root= shortest
 Distal Aspect
• Shorter marginal ridge
 Cusps
• Maxillary posterior teeth
– Facial cusps are non-holding cusps
– Lingual cusps are holding cusps

• Mandibular posterior teeth

– Facial cusps are holding cusps
– Lingual cusps are non-holding cusps
 Root Trunk
Mesial < Facial < Distal
 Occlusal Aspect
• Rhombus pointing mesial
• Lingual half > facial half
• Mesial half > distal half
• Oblique ridge
 Occlusal Aspect
• Lingual groove
• Distal oblique groove
• Central groove
• Facial groove
• Transverse groove of the oblique ridge
 Pulp
• Pulp chamber has 4 pulp horns
• 70% have 4 canals; 30% have 3 canals MB2
 Root
• Rhombus cross-section at CEJ
• Root apices approximate the maxillary sinus
 Summary
• FL > MD > OC
• Cusp of Carabelli
• Oblique ridge
• Pizza slice
• 5 cusps (ML > MF > DL > DF > Carabelli), 4 grooves, 3 pits
• Trapezoid facial
• Trapezoid side
• Rhombus occlusal
• Rhombus cross-section
• 4 or 5 lobes
• 4 pulp horns
• 4 canals
Dental Anatomy
 Maxillary Second Molar
• #2, 15
 Facial Aspect
• Facial groove is more distal
• Roots are closer together
• Roots lean more distal
• Root trunk is longer
 Lingual Aspect
• Lingual groove is more distal
• Palatal root is convex
 Mesial Aspect
• Palatal root is shorter and closer to tooth
• No cusp of Carabelli
 Distal Aspect
• Shorter marginal ridge
 Occlusal Aspect
• Primary cusp triangle
• Heart-shape= 3 cusps
 Pulp
• Pulp chamber has 3 or 4 pulp horns
• 65% have 4 canals; 35% have 3 canals
 Root
• Triangle or rhombus cross-section at CEJ
 Summary
• FL > MD > OC
• Longer root trunk
• Less divergent roots
• 3 or 4 cusps (ML > MF > DL > DF)
• Trapezoid facial
• Trapezoid side
• Rhombus or heart-shape occlusal
• Rhombus or triangle cross-section
• 3 or 4 lobes
• 3 or 4 pulp horns
• 3 or 4 canals
Dental Anatomy
 Mandibular First Molar
• #19, 30
• Widest tooth MD
 Facial Aspect
• Two widespread roots
• Blunt facial cusps, tall lingual cusps
• Two facial grooves
• Cervical ridge
 Lingual Aspect
• Short lingual groove
 Mesial Aspect
• Deep root depression
 Distal Aspect
• Shorter marginal ridge
• Narrower distal root
 Cusps
• Maxillary posterior teeth
– Facial cusps are non-holding cusps
– Lingual cusps are holding cusps

• Mandibular posterior teeth

– Facial cusps are holding cusps
– Lingual cusps are non-holding cusps
 Root Trunk
Facial < Lingual
 Occlusal Aspect
• Pentagon
• Facial half > lingual half
• Mesial half > distal half
• Biggest occlusal table
 Occlusal Aspect
• Y5
• Facial groove
• Distofacial groove
• Lingual groove
• Central groove
 Pulp
• Pulp chamber has 5 pulp horns
• 65% have 3 canals; 32% have 4 canals;
3% have 2 canals
 Root
• Rectangle cross-section at CEJ
• Ribbon cross-section of mesial root
• Longest roots of all molars
 Summary
• MD > FL > OC
• Y5
• 5 cusps (MF > ML > DL > DF > D), 4 grooves, 3 pits
• Trapezoid facial
• Rhombus side
• Pentagon occlusal
• Rectangle cross-section
• 5 lobes
• 5 pulp horns
• 3 canals
Dental Anatomy
 Mandibular Second Molar
• #18, 31
• Most symmetrical molar
 Facial Aspect
• Smaller tooth
• Two facial cusps
• Roots are more parallel
• Most likely for cervical enamel projection
 Lingual Aspect
• Short lingual groove
 Mesial Aspect
• Rhombus shape very evident
• Facial HOC in cervical third
• Lingual HOC in middle third
 Distal Aspect
• Shorter marginal ridge
• Narrower distal root
• Tapering roots
 Occlusal Aspect
• Rectangle
• Mesiofacial cervical bulge
• Mesial half > distal half
• +4
 Pulp
• Pulp chamber has 4 pulp horns
• 55% have 3 canals; 45% have 4 canals
 Root
• Rectangle cross-section at CEJ
• Ribbon cross-section of mesial root
 Summary
• MD > FL > OC
• +4
• 4 cusps (MF > ML > DL > DF), 3 grooves, 3 pits
• Trapezoid facial
• Rhombus side
• Rectangle occlusal
• Rectangle cross-section
• 4 lobes
• 4 pulp horns
• 3 or 4 canals
Dental Anatomy
 Third Molars
• #1, 16, 17, 32
• Up to 35% missing
• Up to 90% impacted
 Maxillary Third Molar
• Shortest crown
• Molar that most frequently has 3 cusps
• Heart-shaped occlusal view
 Mandibular Third Molar
• Shortest root of posterior
• Most variable morphology
• Greatest distal root inclination
Dental Anatomy
 Three Planes
• Coronal
• Axial
• Sagittal
Coronal Plane
Axial Plane
Sagittal Plane
 Practice Questions
DMR #20 ?
Facial cusp #20 ?
DF cusp #19 ?
ML cusp #3 ?
DL cusp #14 ?
MMR #14 ?

M3 M2 M1 P2 P1 C I2 I1

M3 M2 M1 P2 P1 C I2 I1
 Answers
DMR #20 Lingual cusp #13
Facial cusp #20 MMR #13
DF cusp #19 Central fossa #14
ML cusp #3 Central fossa #30
DL cusp #14 DMR #19
MMR #14 MF cusp #19

M3 M2 M1 P2 P1 C I2 I1

M3 M2 M1 P2 P1 C I2 I1
Dental Anatomy
 Working Movement

LEFT L RIGHT
 Working Movement

LEFT L RIGHT
 Working Movement

LEFT L RIGHT
 Working Movement

RIGHT LEFT
 Balancing Movement

RIGHT LEFT
 Protrusive Movement

W NW

RIGHT LEFT
 Occlusal Grid
1
Canine
2
First Premolar 3
4
Second Premolar 5
6
7
First Molar 9 8
10
11
Second Molar 12
13

Canine 1

First Premolar 2
3
4
Second Premolar
5
6
First Molar 7
8
9
11 10
Second Molar 12
13
 Occlusal Grid
1
Canine
2
P
B
First Premolar 3
4
Second Premolar 5 W
6
7
First Molar 9 8
10
11
Second Molar 12
13

Canine 1

First Premolar 2
3
4
Second Premolar W
5
6
First Molar 7
8 B
9 P
11 10
Second Molar 12
13
 Practice Question #1
1
Canine
2
P
B
First Premolar 3
4
Second Premolar 5 W
6
7
First Molar 9 8
10
11
Second Molar 12
13

Canine 1

First Premolar 2
3
If the mandible is moving left, the 4
buccal cusp of the right mandibular Second Premolar W
5
6
second premolar may contact what 7
cusp? First Molar B
8
9 P
11 10
Second Molar 12
13
 Practice Question #2
1
Canine
2
P
B
First Premolar 3
4
Second Premolar 5 W
6
7
First Molar 9 8
10
11
Second Molar 12
13

Canine 1

First Premolar 2
3
In a right lateral excursion the 4
mesiolingual cusp of the right Second Premolar W
5
6
maxillary second molar passes 7
through what structure? First Molar B
8
9 P
11 10
Second Molar 12
13
 Practice Question #3
1
Canine
2
P
B
First Premolar 3
4
Second Premolar 5 W
6
7
First Molar 9 8
10
11
Second Molar 12
13

Canine 1

First Premolar 2
3
During a non-working movement 4
on the right side, the mesiobuccal Second Premolar W
5
6
cusp of tooth #14 will pass through 7
what structure? First Molar B
8
9 P
11 10
Second Molar 12
13
 Summary
1. Locate the cusp
2. Find where it occludes in the opposing arch
3. Determine the movement
a. Direction vs. side
b. Working vs. balancing
c. Draw the arrow to match