Dentition

Question 1

3 types of dentition

Answer 1

1. Deciduous/Primary - first set of teeth, 20 teeth
   - Deciduous means temporary,
   - These teeth ‘erupt’ at approx 6 months starting with the cuspids and will be done by age 2 years approx
   - the deciduous teeth begin to shed or exfoiliate by age 6 and get replaced by permanent teeth
2. Mixed - happens in adolescence, when you have both deciduous and permanent teeth
3. Permanent teeth - start with 32 but might lose the 4 wisdom teeth(3rd molars)

Question 2

Mixed Dentition

Answer 2

• a group of teeth that are a mix of deciduous(temporary or primary teeth) and permanent (adult) teeth
• usually between the ages of 6-12

Question 3

Exfoliation

Answer 3

another word for the shedding or losing of teeth

Question 4

12 year molars

Answer 4

the second molars to erupt into dentition

Question 5

Both the Maxillary teeth and Mandibular teeth of the Permanent teeth consist of:

Answer 5

2 central incisors
2 lateral incisors
2 canine or cuspids
2 first premolars
2 second premolars
2 first molars
2 second molars (12 yr molar)
2 third molars (wisdom teeth - may be removed)

Question 6

Wisdom Teeth (3rd Molars)

Answer 6

• may erupt into dentition between the ages of 18-35
• may need to be removed due to a lack of space in the mouth
• may become impacted and will need to be removed

Question 7

Teeth Surfaces

Answer 7

• each tooth is divided into sections called surfaces

- each surface has a name to be very specific about where the issue can be found

Question 8

Facial surfaces

Answer 8

there are two types of facial surfaces:

1. Labial - surface facing the lips
2. Buccal - surface facing the cheeks

Note: both buccal and labial could also just be referred to facial or facing the face

Question 9

Facial (labial) teeth

Answer 9

the teeth facing the lips of both jaws include:
central incisors
lateral incisors
canines

These are also known as the anterior teeth (teeth in front of the mouth)

Question 10

Facial (Buccal) surfaces

Answer 10

The surfaces of the teeth in both jaws that face or touch the cheeks include:
all the posterior teeth, the premolars and molars

Question 11

Mesial surfaces

Answer 11

These are the Proximal (or surfaces between the teeth) facing toward the midline.

I remember this because both midline and mesial start with m.

to find the mesial surface you have to start with the central incisors. The midline is between the two central incisors. So the mesial surface of both central incisors is facing the other central incisor. If you remove the two central incisors, your mesial surface of the lateral incisors would be facing each other.

Question 12

Distal surfaces

Answer 12

the proximal surface that faces away from the midline. I remember this because distance is farther away.

So, the distal surfaces of each central incisor would be facing each of their lateral incisors

Question 13

Incisal Surface or Area

Answer 13

the sharp cutting edge of the anterior teeth (incisors and cuspids (canines)

Question 14

Occlusal surface or Area

Answer 14

the broad, flat chewing surfaces of the posterior teeth (the premolars and molars)

Question 15

Lingual or Palatal

Answer 15

refers to the surface of the teeth that face the tongue and interior of the mouth

Question 16

Every tooth has 5 surfaces:

Answer 16

1. Mesial
2. Occlusal or Incisal
3. Distal
4. Vestibular (facial, buccal or labial)
5. Lingual (palatal)

Question 17

Combining surface names

Answer 17

When two surface names are combined, the ‘al’ of the first word is replaced by ‘o’ and then the second word is added.
ex) distal and lingual becomes distolingual

When more than two surface names are combined, the ‘al’ of every word before the last word is replaced by ‘o’
ex) mesial occlusal distal becomes mesio-occlusodistal

Question 18

tooth surfaces noted incorrectly on an insurance claim can result in refusal of the dental claim, which causes and inconvenience to the client and may have legal ramifications for the clinic/practice