Dental Anatomy

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Pronounce, define, and spell the key terms.
2. Discuss the anatomic parts of the tooth and explain the composition of each of the tissues of a
tooth.
3. Complete the following related to describing the teeth and associated structures:
• Identify the different types of teeth.
• Discuss the two dental arches.
• Describe the difference between anterior and posterior teeth.
• Use the correct terminology when describing the teeth.
4. Identify the locations of all surfaces of the teeth, name the tooth surfaces, and describe the
anatomic features of the teeth.
5. Complete the following related to dentition:
• Identify the number of teeth in the primary dentition.
• Discuss mixed dentition.
• Identify the number of teeth in the permanent dentition.
6. Use the Universal National System, International Standards Organization System, or Palmer
Notation System to designate and name the surfaces of each tooth, as well as identify the
correct location of each permanent tooth.

KEY TERMS
anatomic crown
apex
apical
bifurcation
cementoenamel junction
cementum
clinical crown
contact point
cusp
dentin
dentinal fiber
dentinal tubules
embrasure
enamel
enamel prisms
exfoliation
Federation Dentaire Internationale (FDI) System
fossae

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International Standards Organization (ISO) System
mixed dentition
numbering systems
Palmer Notation System
periapical
periodontal ligament
periodontium
permanent dentition
primary dentition
pulp
trifurcation
Universal National System
In this chapter, you will learn the anatomic parts of the tooth and the names and locations of the
various types of teeth in the human dentition. You will also learn their functions and features. In
preparation for learning dental charting, you will learn the common systems of tooth numbering.

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Anatomic Parts of the Tooth
Each tooth consists of a crown and one or more roots. The size and shape of the crown and the size
and number of roots vary according to the type of the tooth (Figure 4-1).

FIGURE 4-1 Tissues of the tooth and surrounding structures. (From Fehrenbach MJ, Herring SW: Illustrated anatomy
of the head and neck, ed 4, St. Louis, 2012, Saunders.)

Crown
Anatomic Crown
The anatomic crown is the portion of the tooth covered with enamel (Figure 4-2). The size of the
anatomic crown remains the same throughout the life of the tooth, regardless of the position of the
gingiva (see Figure 4-2).

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 FIGURE 4-2 A, The anatomic crown, the portion of the tooth covered with enamel, remains the same. B,
The clinical crown, the portion of the tooth visible in the mouth, may vary as changes occur in the position
of the gingiva.

Clinical Crown
The clinical crown is the portion of the tooth that is visible in the mouth. The length of the clinical
crown varies during the life cycle of the tooth, depending on the level of the gingiva. The clinical
crown is shortest when the tooth erupts into position and becomes longer as the surrounding
gingiva recedes.

Root
The root is the portion of the tooth that is normally embedded in the alveolar process and is covered
with cementum.
Depending on the type of tooth, one, two, or three roots may be present. Bifurcation means
division into two roots, and trifurcation means division into three roots.
The tapered end of each root tip is known as the apex. Anything that is located at the apex is
referred to as apical, and anything surrounding the apex is said to be periapical.

Cervix
The cervix is the narrow area of the tooth where the crown and the root meet. (Cervix means neck.)
The cementoenamel junction is formed by the enamel of the crown and the cementum of the
root. This area is also known as the cervical line or the cementoenamel junction (CEJ).

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114
Tissues of the Tooth
Enamel
Enamel, which makes up the anatomic crown of the tooth, is the hardest material of the body. This
hardness is important because enamel forms the protective covering for the softer underlying
dentin. It also provides a strong surface for tearing, crushing, grinding, and chewing food.
Enamel is translucent and ranges in color from yellow-white to gray-white. (Translucent means
that the substance allows some light to pass through it.)
Enamel is similar to bone in its hardness and mineral content. Unlike bone, mature enamel does
not contain cells that are capable of repairing themselves. However, some remineralization is
possible (see Chapter 17). Enamel is composed of millions of calcified enamel prisms, which are
also known as enamel rods. These extend from the surface of the tooth to the dentinoenamel junction.
The enamel prisms tend to be grouped into rows that follow a course that is approximately
perpendicular to the surface of the tooth.

Dentin
Dentin makes up the primary portion of the tooth structure and extends almost the entire length of
the tooth. It is covered by enamel on the crown and by cementum on the root.
In the primary teeth, dentin is very light yellow. In the permanent teeth, it is light yellow and
somewhat transparent. The color of the dentin tends to darken as we age.

Structure of Dentin
Dentin is a mineralized tissue that is harder than bone and cementum but not as hard as enamel.
Although hard, dentin is a very porous tissue made up of microscopic canals called dentinal
tubules that extend from the exterior surface, where the dentin joins the enamel or cementum, to
the interior surface, which forms the pulp chamber. If the dentin is not protected by enamel, then
these tubules form a direct passage for invading bacteria into the pulp.
Each tubule contains a dentinal fiber that transmits pain into the pulp. Dentin is a very sensitive
living tissue; therefore it must be protected against dehydration (excessive drying) and thermal
shock (sudden temperature changes) during dental treatment.
Because dentin is capable of some repair, the dentist can use materials that will help encourage
the repair process when placing a restoration.

Pulp
The inner aspect of the dentin forms the boundaries of the pulp chamber (Figure 4-3). Similar to the
dentin surrounding it, the contours of the pulp chamber follow the contours of the exterior surface
of the tooth.

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 FIGURE 4-3 The dental pulp. (From Fehrenbach MJ, Popowics T: Illustrated dental embryology, histology, and anatomy, ed 4,
St. Louis, 2016, Saunders.)

At the time of eruption, the pulp chamber is large. However, because of the continuous
deposition of dentin, it becomes smaller with age.
The portion of the pulp that lies within the crown portion of the tooth is called the coronal pulp;
this includes the pulp horns, which are extensions of the pulp that project toward the cusp tips and
incisal edges.
The other portion of the pulp is more apically located and is referred to as radicular or root pulp.
The radicular pulp of each root is continuous with the tissues of the periapical area via an apical
foramen.
In young teeth, the apical foramen is not yet fully formed, and this opening is wide. With
increasing age, the pulp chamber becomes smaller.

Structure of the Pulp

The pulp is made up of blood vessels and nerves that enter the pulp chamber through the apical
foramen. The blood supply is derived from branches of the dental arteries and from the periodontal
ligament.
The nerves in the pulp receive and transmit pain stimuli. When the stimulus is weak, the
response by the pulpal system is weak, and the interaction goes unnoticed. However, when the
stimulus is great, the reaction is greater, and the patient feels pain.

Cementum
Cementum, which is not as hard as either enamel or dentin, protects the root of the tooth and joins
the enamel at the CEJ. Cementum is of a light yellow shade that is somewhat lighter than the color
of dentin and darker than enamel. Cementum also lacks the luster and translucent qualities of
enamel.
Normally, cementum is covered by bone and gingival tissue. If it is exposed because of gingival
recession and bone loss, then cementum is very sensitive and susceptible to decay.

Periodontium
The periodontium supports the teeth in the alveolar bone and consists of cementum, alveolar bone,
and the periodontal ligaments. These tissues also protect and nourish the teeth.

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Periodontal Ligament
The periodontal ligament is dense connective tissue organized into groups of fibers that connect
the cementum covering the root of the tooth with the alveolar bone of the socket wall. At one end,
the fibers are embedded in cementum; at the other end, they are embedded in bone. These
embedded portions become mineralized and are known as Sharpey fibers. The periodontal ligament
ranges in width from 0.1 to 0.38 mm, with the thinnest portion around the middle third of the root.
As we age, a gradual progressive decrease in the width of these fibers occurs (Figure 4-4).

FIGURE 4-4 Periodontium of the tooth. (From Fehrenbach MJ, Popowics T: Illustrated dental embryology, histology, and
anatomy, ed 4, St. Louis, 2016, Saunders.)

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Types of Teeth
Humans eat a diet that includes meats, vegetables, grains, and fruit. To accommodate this variety in
our diet, our teeth are designed for cutting, shearing or incising, tearing, and grinding different
types of food (Table 4-1).

TABLE 4-1
Types of Teeth

Types of
Characteristics Functions
Teeth
Incisors Incisors are single-rooted teeth with a relatively sharp and thin edge; they are located at the front of the mouth. Are designed to cut food without heavy force.
Canines Also known as cuspids, canines are located at the “corner” of the dental arch. The crown is thick, with one well-developed Are designed for cutting and tearing of food that
pointed cusp. Because of their long root, canines are the most stable teeth in the mouth and are usually the last teeth to be requires the application of force.
lost.
Premolars Also known as bicuspids, premolars are similar to canines in that they have points and cusps but have a broader chewing Are designed for grasping and tearing; they also
surface. There are no premolars in the primary dentition. have a broad surface for chewing.
Molars Molars have more cusps than the other teeth in the dentition. The shorter, blunter cusps provide a chewing surface. Are designed for chewing and grinding solid
masses of food that require the application of heavy
forces.

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Dental Arches
Two dental arches—the maxillary and the mandibular—are found in the human mouth. The lay
person may refer to the maxillary arch as the upper jaw and the mandibular arch as the lower jaw
(Figure 4-5). The mandibular arch is capable of movement through the action of the
temporomandibular joint. The maxillary arch, which is actually part of the skull, is fixed and not
capable of movement (see Chapter 3).

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 FIGURE 4-5 A, Occlusal view of the permanent dentition. The types of teeth are identified using the
Universal National System. B, Occlusal view of the primary dentition. (From Fehrenbach MJ, Popowics T: Illustrated
dental embryology, histology, and anatomy, ed 4, St. Louis, 2016, Saunders.)

Quadrants and Sextants

An imaginary midline divides each dental arch into mirror halves. The two arches, each divided
into halves, create four sections, which are called quadrants (Figure 4-6).

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 FIGURE 4-6 A, Primary dentition separated into quadrants. B, Permanent dentition separated into
quadrants. (From Finkbeiner B, Johnson C: Comprehensive dental assisting, St. Louis, 1995, Mosby.)

Quadrants
When the maxillary and mandibular arches are each divided into halves, the following four
sections, called quadrants, result:

Maxillary right quadrant

Maxillary left quadrant

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Mandibular left quadrant

Mandibular right quadrant

Each quadrant of permanent dentition contains eight permanent teeth (4 × 8 = 32), and a quadrant
of primary dentition contains five teeth (4 × 5 = 20).
As the dental assistant looks into the patient's oral cavity, the directions are reversed. This
concept is the same as it is when two people face each other and shake hands.

Sextants
Each arch can also be divided into sextants rather than quadrants. A sextant is one sixth of the
dentition. There are three sextants in each arch. The dental arch is divided as follows (Figure 4-7):

1. Maxillary right posterior sextant

2. Maxillary anterior sextant

3. Maxillary left posterior sextant

4. Mandibular right posterior sextant

5. Mandibular anterior sextant

6. Mandibular left posterior sextant

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FIGURE 4-7 Permanent dentition separated into sextants. (From Finkbeiner B, Johnson C: Comprehensive dental
assisting, St. Louis, 1995, Mosby.)

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Anterior and Posterior Teeth
To assist in describing their locations and functions, the teeth are classified as being anterior
(toward the front) or posterior (toward the back). In Figure 4-8, the anterior teeth are not shaded,
and the posterior teeth are shaded.

FIGURE 4-8 Oral cavity with the permanent teeth. The midline, quadrants, and anterior and posterior
teeth are identified. (From Fehrenbach MJ, Popowics T: Illustrated dental embryology, histology, and anatomy, ed 4, St. Louis, 2016,
Saunders.)

The anterior teeth are the incisors and canines and are usually visible when people smile. The
anterior teeth are aligned in a gentle curve. The posterior teeth are the premolars and molars and
are aligned with little or no curvature; they appear to be in an almost straight line. Remembering
how these teeth are aligned in the dental arch will be important when you begin exposing
radiographs.

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 Tooth Surfaces
Each tooth has five surfaces: facial, lingual, masticatory, mesial, and distal. The surfaces and their
subdivisions are described in Table 4-2.

TABLE 4-2
Surfaces of the Teeth

Name of Surface Description

Facial surface Is the surface closest to the face. The facial surfaces closest to the lips are also termed labial surfaces. The facial surfaces close to the inner cheek are also termed buccal
surfaces.
Lingual surface Is the surface closest to the tongue.
Masticatory surfaces
Incisal surface or Is the surface on the anterior teeth.
edge
Occlusal surface Is the surface on the posterior teeth.
Mesial surface Is the surface closest to the midline.
Distal surface Is the surface farthest away from the midline.
Palatal surface Is the surface closest to the palate.

See Procedure 4-1: Identify the Teeth and Name the Tooth Surfaces.

Procedure 4-1
Identify the Teeth and Name the Tooth Surfaces
Goal
To identify the teeth and name the tooth surfaces correctly.
Equipment and Supplies
• Study model or typodont

Procedural Steps
Identify each of the following:

1. Maxillary central incisors

2. Mandibular central incisors

3. Maxillary lateral incisors

4. Mandibular lateral incisors

5. Maxillary canines

6. Mandibular canines

7. Maxillary premolars

8. Mandibular premolars

9. Maxillary molars

10. Mandibular molars

11. Occlusal surfaces

12. Incisal surfaces

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13. Lingual surfaces

14. Facial surfaces

15. Mesial surface of the maxillary central incisors

16. Distal surface of the mandibular central incisors

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Anatomic Features of the Teeth
The anatomic features of the teeth—contours, contacts, and embrasures—help maintain the
positions of the teeth in the dental arch and protect the tissues during chewing.

Contours
All teeth have a curved surface except when the tooth is fractured or worn. Some surfaces are
convex (curved outward); others are concave (curved inward). Although the general contours vary,
the general principle that the crown of the tooth narrows toward the cervical line is true for all types
of teeth.

Facial and Lingual Contours

The curvatures found on the facial and lingual surfaces provide natural passageways for food. This
action protects the gingiva from the impact of foods during mastication. The normal contour of a
tooth provides the gingiva with adequate stimulation for health and still protects it from being
damaged by food (Figure 4-9, A).

FIGURE 4-9 Tooth contours. A, Normal contour. B, Inadequate contour. C, Overcontouring.

When a tooth is restored, returning it to a normal contour is important. With inadequate contour,
the gingiva may be traumatized by food pushing against it (Figure 4-9, B). With overcontouring, the
gingiva will lack adequate stimulation and will be difficult to clean (Figure 4-9, C).

Contacts
The contact area of the mesial or distal surface of a tooth is the area that touches the adjacent tooth
in the same arch. The contact point is the exact spot at which the teeth actually touch each other.
The terms contact and contact area are frequently used interchangeably to refer to the contact point.
The crown of each tooth in the dental arches should be in contact with its adjacent tooth or teeth.
A proper contact relationship between adjacent teeth serves the following three purposes:

1. Prevents food from being trapped between the teeth.

2. Stabilizes the dental arches by holding the teeth in either arch in positive contact with each other.

3. Protects the interproximal gingival tissue from trauma during mastication.

Embrasures
An embrasure is a triangular space near the gingiva between the proximal surfaces of two adjoining
teeth. Embrasures are continuous with the interproximal spaces between the teeth. All tooth
contours, including contact areas and embrasures, are important in the function and health of the
oral tissue (Figure 4-10).

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 FIGURE 4-10 Embrasures may diverge facially, lingually, apically, or occlusally.

Occlusion
Occlusion is the contact between the maxillary and mandibular teeth in all mandibular positions
and movements. The occlusal surfaces consist of cusps (raised areas) and fossae (indentations or
grooves). The cusps of the teeth in one arch fit into the fossae of the teeth in the opposing arch,
which produces a very effective grinding action for chewing food.

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Dentition
The term dentition refers to the natural teeth in the dental arches. The term edentulous means without
natural teeth and is used to describe the condition when the permanent teeth have been lost.
The normal human has two complete sets of teeth in a lifetime: primary dentition and
permanent dentition. The transition from one dentition state to the other is known as the mixed
dentition. During this period, both primary teeth and permanent teeth are in the mouth.

Primary Dentition
All 20 teeth of the primary dentition should have erupted and be in place shortly after the age of 2
years. (Eruption is the movement of a tooth through the bone and gingival tissue.) Each quadrant of
the primary dentition contains one central incisor, one lateral incisor, one canine, one first molar,
and one second molar.
All of the primary teeth, also known as deciduous teeth, are exfoliated to make way for their
replacements. (Exfoliation is the normal process by which primary teeth are shed.) During this
process, the root of the primary teeth is resorbed (removed by a normal body process). Table 4-3
shows average ages at eruption and exfoliation of the primary dentition (Figure 4-11).

TABLE 4-3
Primary Dentition in Order of Eruption

Dentition Date of Eruption (in months) Date of Exfoliation (in years)

Maxillary Teeth
Central incisor 6-10 6-7
Lateral incisor 9-12 7-8
First molar 12-18 9-11
Canine 16-22 10-12
Second molar 24-32 10-12
Mandibular Teeth
Central incisor 6-10 6-7
Lateral incisor 7-10 7-8
First molar 12-18 9-11
Canine 16-22 9-12
Second molar 20-32 10-12

FIGURE 4-11 Facial and buccal view of a primary dentition.

Mixed Dentition
When primary teeth no longer meet the needs of the growing child, they are lost and replaced by
the permanent teeth, which are larger, stronger, and more numerous.
The exfoliation, or shedding process, of the primary teeth takes place between the ages of 5 and
12 years. During the time of this mixed dentition, the child has some permanent and some primary
teeth (Figure 4-12).

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 FIGURE 4-12 Facial and buccal view of a mixed dentition.

Permanent Dentition
The permanent dentition period begins when the last primary tooth is shed, after approximately 12
years of age, and includes the eruption of all 32 of the permanent teeth (Figure 4-13). The jaws have
nearly completed their growth when the stages of puberty pass.

FIGURE 4-13 Facial and buccal view of a permanent dentition.

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Tooth Numbering Systems
Numbering systems are used as a simplified means of identifying the teeth for charting and
descriptive purposes (Table 4-4).

TABLE 4-4
Tooth Designation Systems

Tooth Name Universal National System ISO/FDI System Palmer Notation System
Permanent Dentition
Maxillary Teeth
Right third molar 1 18 8
Right second molar 2 17 7
Right first molar 3 16 6
Right second premolar 4 15 5
Right first premolar 5 14 4
Right canine 6 13 3
Right lateral incisor 7 12 2
Right central incisor 8 11 1
Left central incisor 9 21 1
Left lateral incisor 10 22 2
Left canine 11 23 3
Left first premolar 12 24 4
Left second premolar 13 25 5
Left first molar 14 26 6
Left second molar 15 27 7
Left third molar 16 28 8
Mandibular Teeth
Left third molar 17 38 8
Left second molar 18 37 7
Left first molar 19 36 6
Left second premolar 20 35 5
Left first premolar 21 34 4
Left canine 22 33 3
Left lateral incisor 23 32 2
Left central incisor 24 31 1
Right central incisor 25 41 1
Right lateral incisor 26 42 2
Right canine 27 43 3
Right first premolar 28 44 4
Right second premolar 29 45 5
Right first molar 30 46 6
Right second molar 31 47 7
Right third molar 32 48 8
Primary Dentition
Maxillary Teeth
Right second molar A 55 E
Right first molar B 54 D
Right canine C 53 C
Right lateral incisor D 52 B
Right central incisor E 51 A
Left central incisor F 61 A
Left lateral incisor G 62 B
Left canine H 63 C
Left first molar I 64 D
Left second molar J 65 E
Mandibular Teeth
Left second molar K 75 E
Left first molar L 74 D
Left canine M 73 C
Left lateral incisor N 72 B
Left central incisor O 71 A
Right central incisor P 81 A
Right lateral incisor Q 82 B
Right canine R 83 C
Right first molar S 84 D
Right second molar T 85 E

FDI, Federation Dentaire Internationale; ISO, International Standards Organization.

From Bath-Balogh M, Fehrenbach MJ: Illustrated dental embryology, histology, and anatomy, ed 2, St. Louis, 2005, Saunders.

See Procedure 4-2: Identify the Primary and Permanent Dentition Using the Universal National
System, the Federation Dentaire Internationale System, and the Palmer Notation System.

Procedure 4-2
Identify the Primary and Permanent Dentitions Using the
Universal National System, the Federation Dentaire
Internationale System, and the Palmer Notation System
Goal
To identify the teeth correctly using each numbering system.

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Equipment and Supplies
• Study model or typodont

• Worksheet from student workbook or Evolve (or create your own worksheet by dividing a piece
of paper into three columns labeled with the three numbering systems and a row to fill in the
name of each tooth)

Procedural Steps
Identify each of the following:

1. Primary teeth in each arch using the Universal National System.

2. Primary teeth in each arch using the Federation Dentaire Internationale System.

3. Primary teeth in each arch using the Palmer Notation System.

4. Permanent teeth in each arch using the Universal National System.

5. Permanent teeth in each arch using the Federation Dentaire Internationale System.

6. Permanent teeth in each arch using the Palmer Notation System.

Universal National System

The Universal National System, which is approved by the American Dental Association, is used
throughout the United States. In the Universal National System, the permanent teeth are numbered
from 1 to 32. Numbering begins with the upper-right third molar (tooth #1), works around to the
upper-left third molar (tooth #16), drops to the lower-left third molar (tooth #17), and works around
to the lower-right third molar (tooth #32) (see Figure 4-5, A).
The primary teeth are lettered with capital letters from A to T. Lettering begins with the upper-
right second primary molar (tooth A), works around to the upper-left second primary molar (tooth
J), drops to the lower-left second primary molar (tooth K), and works around to the lower-right
second primary molar (tooth T; see Figure 4-5, B).

International Standards Organization System

The International Standards Organization (ISO) System is based on the Federation Dentaire
Internationale (FDI) System and is used in most other countries.
The ISO/FDI System uses a two-digit, tooth-recording system. The first digit indicates the
quadrant, and the second digit indicates the tooth within the quadrant, with numbering from the
midline toward the posterior. The permanent teeth are numbered as follows:

1. Maxillary right quadrant is digit 1 and contains teeth #11 to #18.

2. Maxillary left quadrant is digit 2 and contains teeth #21 to #28.

3. Mandibular left quadrant is digit 3 and contains teeth #31 to #38.

4. Mandibular right quadrant is digit 4 and contains teeth #41 to #48.

The primary teeth are numbered as follows:

1. Maxillary right quadrant is digit 5 and contains teeth #51 to #55.

2. Maxillary left quadrant is digit 6 and contains teeth #61 to #65.

3. Mandibular left quadrant is digit 7 and contains teeth #71 to #75.

4. Mandibular right quadrant is digit 8 and contains teeth #81 to #85.

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 The digits should be separately pronounced. For example, the permanent canines are teeth #1-3
(“number one-three”), #2-3 (“number two-three”), #3-3 (“number three-three”), and #4-3 (“number
four-three”).
To avoid miscommunication internationally, the ISO/FDI System also provides designation of
areas in the oral cavity (see Table 4-4). A two-digit number designates these, and at least one of the
two digits is zero (0). In this system, for example, 00 (“zero-zero”) designates the whole oral cavity,
and 01 (“zero-one”) indicates the maxillary area only.

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Palmer Notation System
In the Palmer Notation System, each of the four quadrants is given its own tooth bracket made up
of a vertical line and a horizontal line (Figure 4-14). The Palmer method is a shorthand diagram of
the teeth as if the patient's teeth are viewed from the outside. The teeth in the right quadrant would
have the vertical midline bracket to the right of the tooth numbers or letters, as when looking at the
patient. The midline is to the right of the teeth in the right quadrant.

FIGURE 4-14 Palmer Notation System.

For example, if the tooth is a maxillary tooth, the number or letter should be written above the
horizontal line of the bracket, thus indicating an upper tooth. Conversely, a mandibular tooth
symbol should be placed below the line, indicating a lower tooth.

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 The number or letter assigned to each tooth depends on its position relative to the midline. For
example, central incisors, the teeth closest to the midline, have the lowest number 1 for permanent
teeth and the letter A for primary teeth. All central incisors, maxillary and mandibular, are given
the number 1. All lateral incisors are given the number 2, canines are given the number 3, premolars
are numbers 4 and 5, molars are 6 and 7, and third molars are number 8.

Tooth Diagrams
The diagrams used for dental charting have the teeth in the right quadrants arranged on the left
side of the page and the teeth in the left quadrants arranged on the right side of the page. The
purpose of this layout is to simulate looking into the patient's mouth. The skills you have learned in
this chapter will be used when you study dental charting in detail in Chapter 12.

Ethical Implications
Your understanding of dental terminology and dental anatomy is fundamental to a variety of
clinical procedures you will be performing every day in the dental setting. In addition, your ability
to use the proper terminology when communicating with patients and other dental professionals
demonstrates your level of training and education and enhances your image as a dental
professional.

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Chapter Exercises
Multiple Choice
Circle the letter next to the correct answer.
1. The chewing surfaces of the posterior teeth are called __________ surfaces.
a. incisal
b. lingual
c. buccal
d. occlusal
2. How many teeth are included in the permanent dentition?
a. 28
b. 32
c. 16
d. 20
3. In the Universal National System, tooth #9 is the __________.
a. maxillary left central incisor
b. maxillary right central incisor
c. mandibular left central incisor
d. mandibular right central incisor
4. In the FDI System, tooth #11 is the __________.
a. maxillary right third molar
b. maxillary right central incisor
c. maxillary left central incisor
d. maxillary left canine
5. The surfaces of the teeth that are nearest to the tongue are the __________ surfaces.
a. buccal
b. lingual
c. occlusal
d. incisal
6. Occlusion refers to the __________.
a. contact area on the proximal surfaces of the teeth
b. contact area between the maxillary and mandibular arches
c. space between the proximal surfaces of the teeth
d. contact area of the teeth
7. When the arches are divided into six parts, each part is called a(n) __________.
a. quadrant
b. sextant
c. arch
d. embrasure
8. The primary dentition contains four premolars.
a. True
b. False
9. The teeth that are sometimes called the “corner” of the arch are the __________.
a. lateral incisors
b. premolars

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 c. canines
d. first permanent molars
10. The proximal surface that is located farthest away from the midline is the __________ surface.
a. distal
b. mesial
c. facial
d. lingual

Apply Your Knowledge

1. Provide the professional terminology for each of the following lay terms: front tooth, back tooth,
top teeth, bottom teeth, and chewing surfaces.
2. If the dentist asked you to take a radiograph of tooth #19, in what area would you place the film?
3. The parent of a 3-year-old asks you to tell her about the process of her daughter losing her “baby”
teeth and wants to know when she will get her permanent teeth. How would you reply?

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