Maxillary Third Permanent Molar

They are the teeth most often congenitally missing

Facial: The crown is usually shorter in both axial and mesiodistal dimensions. Two buccal roots are present, but in most cases they are fused. The mesial buccal cusp is larger than the distal buccal cusp.

Lingual: In most thirds, there is just one large lingual cusp. In some cases there is a poorly developed distolingual cusp and a lingual groove. The lingual root is often fused to the to buccal cusps.

Proximal: The outline of the crown is rounded; it is often described as bulbous in dental literature. Technically, the mesial surface is the only 'proximal' surface. The distal surface does not contact another tooth.

Occlusal: The crown of this tooth is the smallest of the maxillary molars. The outline of the occlusal surface can be described as heart-shaped. The mesial lingual cusp is the largest, the mesial buccal is second in size, and the distal buccal cusp is the smallest.

Root Surface:-The root may have from one to as many as eight divisions. These divisions are usually fused and very often curved distally.

The pre-dentition period.

-This is from birth to six months.

-At this stage, there are no teeth. Clinically, the infant is edentulous

-Both jaws undergo rapid growth; the growth is in three planes of space: downward, forward, and laterally (to the side). Forward growth for the mandible is greater.

-The maxillary and mandibular alveolar processes are not well developed at birth.

-occasionally, there is a neonatal tooth present at birth. It is a supernumerary and is often lost soon after birth.

-At birth, bulges in the developing alveoli precede eruption of the deciduous teeth. At birth, the molar pads can touch.

HISTOLOGY OF THE ODONTOBLAST

Formation of Dentin

Mantle dentin: First formed dentin
Type I collagen with ground substance
Formation of the odontoblast process

Matrix vesicles
Appearance of hydroxyapatite crystals
 

Predentin
Primary physiologic (circumpulpal) dentin
All organic matrix is formed from odontoblasts
Smaller collagen fibers
Presence of phosphophoryn

Mineralization
Globular calcification
Interglobular dentin: Areas of incomplete calcification
Incremental lines of von Ebner: Daily, 4mm of organic matrix is deposited. Also every 5 days the arrangement of collagen fibers changes. This creates the incremental lines of von Ebner.
Intratubular dentin

Dentin tubules
S-shaped in the coronal aspect, straight in root dentin

Von Korff fibers
They are an artifact

FORMATION OF THE ROOT AND ITS ROLE IN ERUPTION

- As dentin and enamel is deposited the shape of the future crown appears.

- The cells just superficial to the horizontal diaphragm start to proliferate and grow pushing the horizontal diaphragm down into the mesenchym.

- This forms a tube.

- This tube is the epithelial root sheath of Hertwig's.

- The mesenchym cells lying inside the tube nearest to the epithelial root sheath are induced to differentiate into odontoblasts, which then start to deposit dentin.

- After the first dentin of the root has been laid down the inner epithelial cells of the sheath start to deposit an enameloid substance called intermediate cementum.

- The root sheath cells then separate from the intermediate cementum and breaks up in a network of epithelial strands.

- The mesenchym on the outside comes into contact with the intermediate cementum and differentiate into

cementoblasts, which will deposit the cementum.

- This cementum traps the collagenic fibres, of the periodontal ligament, which are also formed.

- Epithelium of the root sheath persists as epithelial rests of Malassez. Because the epithelium of the root sheath forms from enamel epithelium it can develop into ameloblasts which will deposit enamel pearls.

- There is little space for the root to develop.

- To create space the crown is pushed out.

MANDIBULAR CENTRAL INCISORS

These are the first permanent teeth to erupt, replacing deciduous teeth, and are the smallest teeth in either arch

Facial Surfaces:-The facial surface of the mandibular central incisor is widest at the incisal edge. Both the mesial and the distal surfaces join the incisal surface at almost a 90° angle. Although these two surfaces are nearly parallel at the incisal edge, they converge toward the cervical margin. The developmental grooves may or may not be present. When present, they appear as very faint furrows.

Lingual: The lingual surface has no definite marginal ridges. The surface is concave and the cingulum is minimal in size.

Proximal: Both mesial and distal surfaces present a triangular outline.

Incisal: The incisal edge is at right angles to a line passing labiolingually through the tooth reflecting its bilateral symmetry.

Root Surface:-The root is slender and extremely flattened on its mesial and distal surfaces.

MANDIBULAR THIRD MOLAR

Facial: The crown is often short and has a rounded outline.

Lingual: Similarly, the crown is short and the crown is bulbous.

Proximal: Mesially and distally, this tooth resembles the first and second molars. The crown of the third molar, however, is shorter than either of the other molars

Occlusal: Four or five cusps may be present. Occlusal surface is a same as of the first or second molar, or poorly developed with many accessory grooves. The occlusal outline is often ovoid and the occlusal surface is constricted. Occasionally, the surface has so many grooves that it is described as crenulated--a condition seen in the great apes

Contact Points; The rounded mesial surface has its contact area more cervical than any other lower molar. There is no tooth distal to the third molar..

Roots:-The roots, two in number, are shorter in length and tend to be fused together. they show a distinct distal curve