Tooth Identification

General Rules of Tooth Identification

 The curvature of the CEJ is usually about 1

mm less on the distal surface than on the
mesial.
 Tooth roots do not always curve; however, if
they do curve, they usually curve distally,
especially at the apex of the root. It is not
uncommon, however, for the root to curve
toward mesially.
 The distal incisal edges of anterior teeth are
more rounded than the mesial incisal edges.
 Mandibular anterior teeth tend to wear on
their labial incisal edges, whereas maxillary
teeth wear on the lingual incisal edges.
Unless a person has a class III occlusion, the
maxillary teeth are facial to the mandibular
teeth.
 Permanent molars are generally smaller in height
and have fewer cusps the more posteriorly they are
positioned.
 Permanent molars tend to have more secondary and
tertiary anatomy the more posterior they are
positioned. Secondary anatomy consists of extra
grooves and pits in addition to the main primary
developmental anatomy. Tertiary anatomy refers to
the extremely shallow and even more numerous
grooves, pits and lines that third molars have, giving
them a wrinkled appearance.
 The roots of molars tend to be shorter and
closer together the more posterior the molars
are positioned, and the roots are often fused
into one.
 The more posterior the molars are
positioned, then the more variation of the
anatomy is evident. Third molars are more
wrinkled and unpredictable in shape than
second or first molars.
Anterior

Maxillary
Central

 These incisors are the largest and most

prominent incisors. The distoincisal is more
rounded than the mesioincisal angle. The
lingual surface has a prominent cingulum,
broad lingual fossa, and distinct marginal
ridges. The pulp cavity is one large single
chamber and root canal.
 Number of roots – 1
 Number of pulp horns – 3
 Number of development lobes - 4
Lateral
 The lingual anatomical features are similar to those of the
central incisors but are more highly developed and have more
prominent marginal ridges and deeper lingual fossae. Lateral
incisors are more likely to have a lingual pit. The cingulum may
be smaller, almost absent. The labial surface resembles that of
a central incisor except that the labial surface is more convex.
The crown-root ratio is less than in a central incisor because
the crown is usually smaller, whereas the root is almost as
long. In all other ways the lateral incisors appear as a smaller,
more rounded versions of the central incisors.
 Number of roots – 1
 Number of pulp horns – 1 to 3
 Number of developmental lobes - 4
Canine

 The maxillary canines are the longest teeth in the

mouth. They have a single cusp with mesial and
distal ridges forming an incisal edge. A prominent
facial ridge is off-center toward the mesial. Cingulum
is prominent. The prominent mesiofacial lobe forms
the lingual ridge of the cusp. The lingual ridge
divides the mesial and distal fossae. The distofacial
ridge is longer and more rounded than the
mesiofacial.
 Number of roots – 1
 Number of pulp horns – 1
 Number of cusps – 1
 Number of developmental lobes - 4
Anterior

Mandibular
Central

 The distoincisal and mesioincisal angles are

nearly identical. The lingual surface is
shallow, with no prominent features. The
crown is wider faciolingually and
mesiodistally. The root is oval shaped in
cross section. The incisal edge shows wear
on the facioincisal edge. From a proximal
view the incisal edge appears to be tilted
toward the lingual side.
 Number of roots – 1
 Number of pulp horns – 3
 Number of developmental lobes - 4
Lateral

 The crown is similar to that of the mandibular

central incisors. The distal lobe is more
highly developed than the mesial. The distal
incisal ridge angles toward the lingual as if
rotating on the root axis. The crown and the
root are slightly larger than those of the
central incisors.
 Number of roots – 1
 Number of pulp horns – 3
 Number of developmental lobes - 4
Canines

 The crown is similar to the crown of the

maxillry canines but narrower and smoother.
It has less prominent lingual features. From
a proximal view, the cusp tip is inclined to the
lingual. From an incisal view, the distal end
of the incisal edge is rotated to the lingual.
They have the longest root in the mandibular
arch, with longitudeinal grooves on the root.
 Number of roots – 1 or 2
 Number of pulp horns – 1
 Number of cusps – 1
 Number of developmental lobes - 4