Teeth

Question 1

crown

Answer 1

 Covered with enamel and is the tooth seen in the mouth. It changes throughout the life cycle of the tooth.

Question 2

root

Answer 2

 There can be one, two (bifurcation), or three (trifurcation) roots depending on the type of tooth.
 Apex = the tapered end of each root tip. Apical = describes anything that is located at the apex.

Question 3

cervix

Answer 3

 This is the area of the tooth where crown and root meet.

Question 4

enamel

Answer 4

 It makes up the anatomical crown.
 This is the hardest material in the body and similar to bone in hardness and mineral content.
 Although, hard, it is also brittle and can chip and fracture.
 It forms the protective covering for the softer dentin.

Question 5

dentin

Answer 5

 This material makes up the main portion of the tooth, extending almost the entire length of the tooth.
 It is covered by enamel on the crown.
 It is covered by cementum on the root.
 It is harder than bone and cementum, but not as hard as enamel.

Question 6

Cementum:

Answer 6

 It covers the root of the tooth.

 It anchors the tooth into the bony socket by attachment fibers with the periodontium.

Question 7

pulp

Answer 7

 The vital tissues of the tooth consisting of the blood vessels, connective tissues and nerves.
 Pulp functions to: Exchange blood between the body and the tooth for nutrition, gas exchange and immune function; to transmit nervous stimuli; and to contain connective tissues.

Question 8

gingiva

Answer 8

 Also known as the gums.

 Rich in blood and nerve supplies.

Question 9

root canal

Answer 9

 Lower part of the root in which the pulp is contained.

 Allows blood vessels and nerves to pass between the pulp and the body.

Question 10

occlusal surface

Answer 10

 Chewing surface of the posterior teeth.

 The surfaces between the maxillary and mandibular contact with each other.

Question 11

incisal edge

Answer 11

 The biting edge of the anterior teeth.

Question 12

axial surface

Answer 12

 The longitudinal surface of the tooth from the occlusal surface, or incisal edge, through the apex of the root.

Question 13

buccal surface

Answer 13

 The axial surface of a posterior tooth that is next to a cheek.

Question 14

labial surface

Answer 14

 The axial surface of an anterior tooth that is next to the lip.

Question 15

facials surfaces

Answer 15

 Describes both labial and buccal surfaces of teeth.

 Therefore, all teeth next to the cheeks and lips.

Question 16

lingual surface

Answer 16

 The axial surface of a tooth that is nearest to the tongue

Question 17

proximal surfaces

Answer 17

 Those axial tooth surfaces that are next to each other (where one tooth surface touches the next tooth surface).
 The mesial and distal surfaces of adjacent teeth are both proximal surfaces.

Question 18

distal surface

Answer 18

 The axial surface of a tooth facing away from the midline or toward the back of the mouth.

Question 19

mesial surface

Answer 19

 The axial surface of a tooth facing in the direction of the midline or toward the front of the mouth.

Question 20

4 types of teeth

Answer 20

incisors, cuspids (canines), bicuspids (premolars), molars

Question 21

incisors

Answer 21

• You have eight incisors - 4 on top and 4 on the bottom.

* These are the front and the teeth you see the most. They are made for tearing food.

Question 22

cuspids (canines)

Answer 22

• These are the 4 pointy teeth right beside your incisors.
• They are for grasping and tearing food.
• When you bite into a piece of pizza, the incisors and canines work together to cut the cheese away!
• They are called canines because you often see them among dog’s teeth

Question 23

bicuspids (premolars)

Answer 23

• These are the next 8 teeth you find as you go back along your teeth.
• They are the flat, stubby teeth that grind food down for swallowing.
• Children do not have these teeth in their primary dentition.

Question 24

molars

Answer 24

• The 12 molars are behind premolars.
• They are wide and flat, perfect for grinding up food.
• Last 4 molars are also called wisdom teeth.