Dental Terminology Anatomy Flashcards
Midline
location of contact between the mesial surfaces of the central incisors. The dental midline is the line between your two upper front teeth and your two lower front teeth
Incisal
The biting edge of an anterior tooth
Lingual
The surface that faces the tongue.
Mesial
The surface that is closest to the midline of the face.
Occlusal
The chewing surface of posterior teeth
Distal
The surface that is away from the midline of the face
Facial
The surface that faces the cheeks or lips. Can also use the terms
Labial
The surface towards the lips
Buccal
The surface towards the cheeks
Proximal
Tooth surfaces that are next to each other (i.e., distal of lateral incisor and mesial of canine).
Incisors
The four front teeth in both the upper and lower jaws are called incisors. Their primary function is to cut food. The two incisors on either side of the midline are known as central incisors. The two adjacent teeth to the central incisors are known as the lateral incisors. Incisors have a single root and a sharp incisal edge.
Canines
There are four canines in the oral cavity. Two in the maxillary arch and two in the mandibular area. They are behind and adjacent to the lateral incisors. Their main function is to tear food. They have a single, pointed cusp and a single root. They have the longest root of any tooth. They also serve to form the corners of the mouth.
Premolars (Bicuspids)
These teeth are located behind and adjacent to the canines and are designed to crush food. There are eight premolars in the oral cavity. There are two in each quadrant of the mouth. The one closest to the midline is the first premolar and the one farthest from the midline is the second premolar. These teeth can have 3-4 cusps. The maxillary first premolar has two roots, and the remaining premolars have a single root. There are no premolars in the primary dentition.
Molars
The most posterior teeth in the mouth are the molars. They have broader and flatter surfaces with 4-5 cusps. They are designed to grind food. Mandibular molars typically have 2 roots. Maxillary molars, which are located behind the second premolars, typically have 3 roots. There are 12 molars in the permanent dentition with three in each quadrant of the mouth. They are named starting with closest to the midline as first molars, second molars and third molars. Although, some people do not fully develop the third molars. Third molars are often referred to as wisdom teeth. The primary dentition only contains eight molars.
Soft Palate
Posterior portion of the palate. This is non-bony and is comprised of soft tissue
Hard Palate
Anterior portion of the palate which is formed by the processes of the maxilla
Vestibule
Space between the maxillary or mandibular teeth, gingiva, cheeks and lips
Permanent Dentition
The permanent dentition is comprised of 32 teeth. There are 16 teeth in the maxilla and 16 in the mandible. In each arch there are two central incisors, two lateral incisors, two canines, four premolars, and six molars. The permanent central incisors, lateral incisors, canines, and first and second premolars replace the primary dentition. The primary molars are replaced with the permanent premolars, and the permanent molars erupt posterior to those.
Occlusion
Occlusion is defined as the way the teeth meet when the lower jaw (mandible) and upper jaw (maxilla) come together.The Key to Occlusion has to do with how the Maxillary 1stMolar and the Mandibular 1stMolar come together.
Articulation
It is defined as the dynamic contact relationship between the occlusal surfaces of the teeth during function.
Bridge
A fixed dental restoration (a fixed dental prosthesis) used to replace a missing tooth (or several teeth) by joining an artificial tooth permanently to adjacent teeth or dental implants.
Concepts of Occlusion
Occlusion is a factor that is common to all branches of dentistry. The study of occlusion and its relationship to function of the masticatory system has been a topic of interest in dentistry since many years. One of the chief aims of preventive and restorative dentistry has been to maintain an occlusion that will function in harmony with the other components of the masticatory mechanism, thereby preserving their health and at the same time providing the optimum, if not maximum masticatory function.
cusps
These are the raised or pointy parts of a crown that are the primary tools for tearing and chewing food. When a cusp has been damaged from a cavity or fracture, the tooth needs a crown to prevent further damage.
Margin
This is the edge of the crown that meets the prepared surface of the tooth. This needs to be smooth with no gaps or ledges.
Articulator
mechanical hinged device used in dentistry to which plaster casts of the maxillary (upper) and mandibular (lower) jaw are fixed, reproducing some or all the movements of the mandible in relation to the maxilla.
Palate
Roof of the mouth
VDO - Vertical Dimension of Occlusion
superior-inferior relationship of the maxilla and the mandible when the teeth or wax rims are situated in maximum intercuspation or contact. In dental applications, the vertical dimension of occlusion is an important measurement in determining the correct dimensions for a prosthesis.
Preferred CBCT Image Size
13x13cm
Scan Marker for Denture
7 Total ( 3 platal/lingual and 4 buccal
Dual Scan
Scan of the denture in the patients mouth and by itself (3 scans if double arch case (have to scan arches separately)
Photos needed
- Big Smile
- Retracted (Full Face)
- Say “Duh”
- Left Profile (Full Face)
- Right Profile (Full Face)
- Photos of existing denture or partial
- Intra-oral (Capture posterior with cheek
retractors to see occlusion, etc.)
