Maxillary Canines

Question 1

For maxillary canines, what is the expected years of eruption?

Answer 1

11-12 years

Question 2

For maxillary canines, what is the crown shape from the facial/lingual view?

Answer 2

Trapezoid

Question 3

For maxillary canines, how do the mesial and distal outlines compare from facial and lingual view?

Answer 3

Mesial outline: Convex; mesial cusp ridge meets mesial surface at a rounded edge (not as rounded as the distal MI edge). Mesial marginal ridge, on lingual surface, is distinct.
Distal Outline: Rounded; DI ridge is rounded with a distal ‘bulge.’ Distal marginal ridge, on lingual surface, is distinct.

Question 4

For maxillary canines, what are the mesial and distal heights of contour (occlusogingival contact locations)?

Answer 4

Mesial: Incisal 1/3
Distal: Middle 1/3; just below incisal and middle 1/3 junction

Question 5

For maxillary canines, which cusp ridge is shorter, mesial or distal?

Answer 5

The mesial cusp ridge is shorter

Question 6

For maxillary canines, how do the distal and mesial marginal ridges compare?

Answer 6

The distal marginal ridge is more rounded, shorter and thicker than mesial ridge (makes sense b/c distal cusp ridge is longer).

Question 7

For maxillary canines, is the cingulum centered?

Answer 7

Yes, centered below the lingual fossa which may have lingual pits or grooves. Lingual face of tooth tapers at cingulum and is therefore more narrow mesio-distally than the facial side.

Question 8

For maxillary canines, how many developmental lobes are present? Which is most prominent? How many cusp ridges?

Answer 8

As with all anterior teeth there are 4 developmental lobes. The middle lobe is the most prominent forming the cusp tip. there are two cusp ridges on either side of the cusp tip to the 1st and 3rd developmental lobes. 4th lobe is cingulum.

Question 9

Are there mammelons present on the maxillary canines?

Answer 9

No

Question 10

For maxillary canines, where are the facial and lingual heights of contour?

Answer 10

Lingual and facial heights of contour are both located in the cervical 1/3. The buccal height of contour lies more incisal than the maxillary incisors.

Question 11

For maxillary canines, what is the crown shape from the proximal view?

Answer 11

Triangular or wedge shaped.

Question 12

For maxillary canines, describe the facial and lingual outlines.

Answer 12

Facial outline: Convex

Lingual outline: Convex in cervical 1/3 (cingulum); Concave in middle and incisal 1/3s (lingual fossa).

Question 13

For maxillary canines, what is the crown shape when viewed from the incisal view?

Answer 13

Diamond. More accurately an asymmetric diamond shape b/c of the distal bulge.

Question 14

For maxillary canines, how do the facial and lingual outlines compare?

Answer 14

They are both convex.

Facial middle lobe prominent.

Question 15

For maxillary canines, describe the shape of the incisal edge when viewed from the incisal view?

Answer 15

Slightly curved mesio-distally. And while it’s difficult to see from above there is a prominent incisal tip. The distal incisal ridge is longer than the mesial.

Question 16

For maxillary canines, how many roots? Describe shape.

Answer 16

1 root. conical shape, very broad B-L. Tapers to rounded apex (like maxillary incisors). Dilacerates to M or D. But most often bends to the distal at the root apex. Has a triangular shape in cross section (same as all other anterior teeth). Longest root in mouth.

Question 17

For maxillary canines, how many pulpal canals does the maxillary canine root have? What is the shape of the pulp chambers in cross section?

Answer 17

1 pulpal canal/tooth. In cross section appears as oval or figure eight shape.

Question 18

What is the longest single rooted tooth in the mouth?

Answer 18

maxillary canine.

Question 19

The broad width B-L of the maxillary canine root creates what structure in the gum line?

Answer 19

The Canine eminence=visible root bump in gums. Supports the corner of the mouth, the ‘cornerstone’ of the arch (the canines are the final anterior teeth). Contributes greatly to the esthetic properties of the face.

Question 20

How likely are maxillary canines to have class 1 caries?

Answer 20

They are the second most likely due to their lingual pits and grooves in the lingual fossa and the prominent cingulum.