Anatomic and Physiologic Considerations of

Form and Function

DR FAYZA
ORAL PHYSIOLOGY

 It is the branch of dentistry that deals with the

normal functions of teeth and all its related
structures in the oral cavity.
PHYSIOLOGIC MORPHOLOGY of the
TEETH and the PERIODONTIUM

 A. There is a definite form related to purpose and

function.
 B. There are 3 major functions of human teeth to
which their form, contour and alignment are
directly related
 1. Mastication
.

2. Esthetics
3. Phonetics (speech)

 Periodontium
supporting tissues, both hard and soft may suffer the
consequences of dentist-induced imperfection of form .
COMPARATIVE DENTAL ANATOMY

 A. Most primitive type of tooth

• conical in shape
• composed of a single cone or common in primitive vertebrates in
modern times is exhibited by lower vertebrates including reptiles
• mainly homodonts with similarly
• hinge action of jaw, no lateral movement for grasping prey and
combat.
B

 B. The dental systems of mammals have evolved to much greater

diversity.
• Development of tritubercular form of the tooth or 3 lobed (cusped
tooth)
• Mammals are heterodont in nature because of different tooth form,
displays more than a single root per tooth.
• Dogs are mammal that is fully eterodont but lacks lateral jaw
movements due to interlocking cusps.
C

 C. The most highly developed and complex Teeth normally with 4

or more lobes belongs to the PRIMATE (APES AND MONKEYS).
• basically herbivorous diet of fruits.
• arthropod ape have dental formulae identical to man however these
animals retained their elongated canines hence, do not have lateral
jaw movement like in man.
D

 D. Man has the most complex dental mechanism of all animals.

• being omnivorous, homosapiens has developed teeth to function
both in the mastication of meat and plant foods.
• The elongated and interlocking canines are reduced in size so that
they function with rest of the teeth in lateral movements and the
individual teeth differ in both size and development from other
primates.
D

• All teeth in human dentition are comprised of 4 or more lobes.

• the ungulates (deer,cow,horse etc.) displays a great range of jaw
movement being entirely herviborous, exhibit relatively great
latitude jaw movement.
CROWN SURFACE FORM

 Thegeometric configuration of all tooth crown surfaces

(except incisal and occlusal ) can be placed in one of three
general categories: triangular, trapezoidal or rhomboidal.
A. FACIAL AND LINGUAL SURFACES

 Labial ,buccal and lingual aspects, all teeth are in the dental arches
can be roughly described as trapezoidal.
 Incisal or occlusal side forms the base of the trapezoid.
 The cervical represents the shorter parallel side to allow adequate
bony support around the root of each tooth as well as abundant
circulatory capability.
 Observe the pronounce trapezoidal configuration with
the base at the incisal or occlusal.

View From Facial

B. MESIAL and DISTAL SURFACES

 A. Anterior Teeth
• The crowns of anterior teeth as viewed from their proximal surfaces,exhibits a
triangular shape,with the base of triangle at the cervical and the apex at the
incisal
• This shape readily fits into the prescribed function of the anterior teeth, since the
apex at the functions as a wedge in tearing, biting and incising food material,
while the wider cervical base provides strength for the crown form.
B. Maxillary Posterior Teeth

• The crowns of maxillary posterior teeth have proximal

surfaces which are roughly trapezoidal in shape, with the
base at the cervical and the buccal and lingual sides
constricting toward the occlusal.
• This general form aids in the distribution of forces during
mastication, aswelI as serving as an acid to the tooth’s self
cleansing process.
C. Mandibular Posterior Teeth

• From the proximal aspect, mandibular posterior teeth are

roughly rhom-boidal in their outline, with the crowns
inclined toward the lingual.
• This form and inclination allows for proper interlocking of
the mandibular and maxillary posteriors during
mastication.
 VIEWED FROM PROXIMAL
.

 A. Triangular with the base at the

gingival.
 B. Trapezoidal with the base at the
gingival
 C. Rhomboidal
DENTAL LOBES

 It is the primary center of growth and calcification

present during the crown development.
These lobes mature into cusp, mamelons and
cingulum
'All anterior teeth show traces of 4 lobes.
• 3 labial lobe each lobe in incisor terminates
incisally in rounded eminences known as
mamelons.
Maxillary central incisors often show trace of fusion
of three lobes on the labial face by visible marking in
the enamel called labial grooves.
 NUMBER OF LOBES

 Minimum 4 lobes are required for tooth formation.

• In anterior teeth, the four lobes are called the mesial labial,
distal and lingual lobes.
• In premolars they are called mesial buccal distal and
lingual lobes or in case of the mandibular second premolar,
which has two lingual cusp, the mesial buccal and
distolingual lobes making five in all.
• The molar lobes are named the same as cusp e.g.,
mesiobuccal lobes. The tip of each cusp represents the
primary center of formation of each lobes.
 GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS IN
THE PHYSIOLOGY OF THE
PERMANENT DENTITION

.
A. TOOTH FORM AND FUNCTION

Are directly related

• Shapes of incisal/occlusal surfaces of the teeth are related to their functions.
• movements of the mandible
• Functions

B. OCCLUSION

• when maxillary Teeth comes in contact with mandibular teeth

• used to designate the anatomic alignment of the teeth and their relationship to the rest of the
masticatory system.
 MALOCCLUSION

• Any deviation in intermaxillary /or intermaxillary relations o eeth and/or jaw.

 ALIGNMENT

• Teeth are arranged in arches in each jaw and place in strong contact with adjacent teeth.
• line of forces must be parallel to the long axis of the tooth.
• Importance, to withstand forces.
C. CONTACTS

Each tooth has contact areas except 3rd molars(distal)

• Increase in size with age because of
1. Due to abrading action of the teeth against each other over a long period of time
2. Brading action between proximal spaces.
• The actual mesio- distal length of dental arches is continuously becoming shorter
moving toward the midline or mesially.
• Importance, stabilizes the teeth in the dental arch and prevention of
food material from packing between teeth resulting to gingivitis.

• There must be tight and proper location of contact areas towards

incisocervically/occlusocervically and faciolingually
GENERAL RULES

1. Contact areas become more cervically located from anterior to posterior in each quadrant.
2. On individual teeth, the distal contact area normally has a more cervical location than the
mesial contact area.
3. The relative size of the contact areas increases from anterior to posterior in each dental
arch.
4. Anterior teeth have contact areas which are, in general, centered in the faciolingual
dimension.
5. Posterior teeth have contact areas which are, in general, located slightly to the buccal
center in the faciolingual dimension.
CONTACTS

 A schematic representation of the

left quadrant of the mandibular
arch.
 Note how the contact areas
assume a more gingival location as
they progress distally.
INTRODUCTION

 Presence of proper contacts & contour is important to maintain stability & occlusal
harmony.
 A thorough knowledge of the contacts & contours of various teeth is mandatory for
understanding
• Predisposing factors of proximal caries like faulty interrelationships.
• Significance of marginal ridges, embrasures for re-establishing the form and function of
restored teeth.
• Periodental aspect and health of the tooth to be restored.
BENEFITS OF AN IDEAL CONTACT
AND CONTOUR

1. Conserves the health of peridontium

2. Prevents food impaction
3. Makes area self cleansable
4. Improves longevity of proximal restorations
5. Maintains normal mesiodistal relationship of the teeth in the dental
arch
Food We Consume
Moves In 3
Different Directions

1. 0cclusal surfaces
2. Contact & Gingival
embrasures
3. Facial & Lingual sulcus
 Any decay occurring on the proximal surface is
mainly due to faulty interrelationship between
.
 Contact Areas
.
 Marginal Ridges
 Embrasures
 Gingiva.
PROXIMAL CONTACT AREA

 Area of proximal height of contour of the

mesial or distal surface of a tooth that touches
the adjacent tooth in the same arch
 According to their general shape 3 types:
1. Tapering teeth
2. Square type
3. Ovoid type