Incisors & Canines

Question 1

Which characteristics would help you to identify the mesial and distal surfaces of a maxillary incisor?

Answer 1

The mesial edge is straight and forms a 90-degree angle at the incisal edge.

The distal edge is curved.

Cervical margin is convex.

(these characteristics are for both the central and lateral incisors)

Question 2

Which maxillary anterior tooth is the widest mesiodistally?

Answer 2

Upper central incisor(s)

Question 3

How would you describe the labial surface of a maxillary first incisor? (4 characteristics)

Answer 3

Convex at cervical (neck) part of the tooth.

The remaining labial surface is flatter.

2 shallow grooves that disappear about halfway up the labial surface.

Spade-like shape.

Question 4

How would you describe the root of a maxillary first incisor?

Answer 4

It has a single, tapered root and it appears stubby

Question 5

What does the cross-section of the upper first incisor look like?

Answer 5

Triangular, with the pulp in the middle.

Question 6

How would you describe the palatal surface of a maxillary first incisor? (4 characteristics)

Answer 6

Concave surface with mesial and distal marginal ridges.

Well developed cingulum (where the ridges join).

Shovel shaped.

Question 7

What shape is the proximal surface?

Answer 7

Triangular shape

Question 8

The first and second incisor are similar - what is the difference in their appearance?

Answer 8

the lateral incisor is smaller and rounder.

Question 9

Describe the root of a lateral incisor?

Answer 9

Long and spindly, tends to curve towards the distal

Question 10

How would you describe the palatal surface of a maxillary second incisor? (4 characteristics)

Answer 10

Concave.

Shovel-shaped.

Marginal ridges meet at cervix into a well-developed cingulum.

Developmental Pit is found at base of cingulum (can be probed).

Question 11

What characteristics could help you identify a.) a lateral incisor and b.) what side of the mouth it is from?

Answer 11

a. ) The developmental pit on the palatal surface.

b. ) Can use the curve of the root, but also the characteristics of the crown

Question 12

How would you describe the proximal shape of the lateral incisor?

Answer 12

Triangular shape

Question 13

How would you describe the appearance of the maxillary canines?

Answer 13

Single pointed cusp.

Cusp divides the incisal edge, making the mesial slope shorter than the distal.

Question 14

How would you describe the labial surface of the maxillary canines?

Answer 14

Convex in shape.

Labial surface is wider than palatal surface.

Question 15

How would you describe the palatal surface of the maxillary canines?

Answer 15

Has a large well-developed cingulum.

Longtitudinal ridge from cingulum to cusp tip.

Either side of ridge is marginal ridges.

2 palatal fossa - mesial and distal.

Question 16

Which palatal fossa found on max. canines is deepest?

Answer 16

Distal

Question 17

How would you describe the root and cross-section of a maxillary canine?

Answer 17

A long, single root, which tends to curve towards the distal.

Cross-section is rounded triangular shape.

Question 18

Which of the permanent teeth is the smallest?

Answer 18

The mandibular first permanent incisor

Question 19

How would you describe the labial surface of the mandibular first permanent incisor?

Answer 19

Mesial and distal are similar.

Length of crown is larger than mesiodistal width.

Chisel-shaped.

Question 20

Describe the root of the mandibular first incisor (3)

Answer 20

Single root which curves distally.

Mesial side of the root is rounded.

Distal side of the root has a groove

Question 21

How would you describe the lingual surface of the mandibular first incisor?

Answer 21

Poorly developed cingulum.

Marginal ridges less defined than maxillary first incisor

Question 22

How does the mandibular second incisor compare to the mandibular first incisor?

Answer 22

It is a larger tooth - it is longer and the incisal edge is wider mesiodistally.

Question 23

How would you describe the labial surface of the mandibular second permanent incisor?

Answer 23

Mesial incisal edge is nearly 90 degrees.

Distal edge is curved.

Fan-shaped crown.

Question 24

Describe the root of the mandibular second incisor

Answer 24

Single root.

Deep groove on distal surface of the root.

Tends to curve towards the distal.

Question 25

How would you describe the crown of the mandibular second incisor?

Answer 25

The crown rotates towards the canine (important characteristic).

Crown tilts towards the lingual.

Question 26

How would you describe the lingual surface of the mandibular second permanent incisor?

Answer 26

Cingulum is not well developed.

marginal ridges not well defined.

Question 27

Describe the labial surface of the mandibular canine

Answer 27

Similar to maxillary canine.

Convex.

Single cusp.

Mesial slope of the cusp is shorter than the distal slope.

Elongated and narrow

Question 28

How do the mandibular and maxillary canines differ in appearance?

Answer 28

They look similar, however, the mandibular canine is elongated in comparison. It is also narrower mesiodistally.

Also, on the lingual surface of the mandibular canine, the marginal ridges are less defined in comparison to the max canine

Question 29

Describe the lingual surface of the mandibular canine

Answer 29

Less developed cingulum, with less defined marginal ridges compared to maxillary canine. This creates shallow lingual fossa.

Question 30

Describe the root of the mandibular canine

Answer 30

Sinlge root.

Distal groove.

Root is flattened mesiodistally.

Root tends to bend towards the distal.

Has an oval cross section.