The Study of Tooth Shapes: A Systematic Procedure Horst Grtindler Translated by Lea Weber Y Buch- und Zeitschriften-Verlag “Die Quintessenz" 1976 Berlin, Chicago, Rio de Janeiro and TokyoPreface The increasing demands of dental science for functional design of artificial teeth obliges the dental technician to familiarize himself with the theoretical and practical rudiments of his con- struction, Before involving himself with the many-faceted problems of constructing various artificial teeth, the student should become fully conversant with the anatomy of tooth shapes. The recanstruction of tooth shapes is an art as old as the desire of humans for tooth replace- ment. The effort to duplicate natural teeth in shape, size and color with satisfactory results has never ceased, even to the present. For some time, imitation of an atomical example was attempted. Today we are aware that func- tional requirements are just as important as tooth shapes. The concept for learning tooth shapes pre- sented here can—and should—be in accord with this relationship. The many details of the periodontium, the supporting tissues, the tem- poromandibular joint and the frequently dis- puted theme of occlusion are all components of a single unit that cannot be separated. The teeth of the human dentition are the center of focus, and misunderstandings easily can arise when all these relationships must be learned at the same time as the construction of tooth shapes. it seems important and necessary to indicate @ way in which tooth anatomy and its morpho- logy can be presented in a practice-related method. Additionally, the student should learn the pro- fessional nomenclature of teeth. In an effort to compile a textbook that is not conventional, a workbook originated, combining the theoret- ical with the practical. A systematic procedure was designed, whose fasks involved teaching manual dexterity, fa- miliarity with suitable instruments and practice- related materials and reconstruction of ana- fomical tooth shapes in a universally under- standable fashion. For this purpose, the elementary requirements of the dentition as a whole should adhere to the formula: Shape is function and function determines shape, even in the human dentition. | wish to express my thanks and to give recog- nition to Dr. Lawrenz of Bonn for the graphi- cally presented illustrations. Disseldorf, May 1978 Horst GriindlerContents Preface 5 Introduction 9 Part! The theoretical fundamentals for learning tooth shapes 13 1, General rules for tooth shapes 13 2. Purpose of the teeth 13 3. The maxillary and mandibular teeth as a unit 15 4, Terminology, topography and morphology of the teeth 7 5. The shapes of groups of teeth 19 8. Topography of the dentition 419 a) Terminology related to the maxilla 20 b) Terminology related to the mandible 2a c) Anterior tooth terminology 22 d) Lateral tooth designations 25 Parti Description of the maxillary teeth and practical working instructions ‘1, The maxillary central incisor First practical exercise Second practical exercise 2. The maxillary lateral incisor Practical exercise 3. The maxillary canine First practical exercise Second practical exercise 4. The maxillary premolar First practical exercise Second practical exercise . The maxillary molar First practical exercise Second practical exercise a