Mandibular First Deciduous Molar

-This tooth doesn't resemble any other tooth. It is unique unto itself.

-There are two roots.

-There is a strong bulbous enamel bulge buccally at the mesial.

- the mesiolingual cusps on this tooth is the highest and largest of the cusps.

Enamel

Composition: 96% mineral, 4% organic material and water
Crystalline calcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite
Physical characteristics: Hardness compared to mild steel; enamel is brittle
Support from dentin is necessary
Enamel has varies in thickness

Structure of enamel

Ground sections of enamel disclose the information that we have about enamel
Enamel is composed of rods
In the past we used the term prism (do not use)
 

Enamel rod
The rod has a cylinder-like shape and is composed of crystals that run parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rod. At the periphery of the rod the crystals flare laterally.
Interrod region: surrounds each rod; contain more enamel protein (fish scale appearance)
Rod sheath: boundary where crystals of rods meet those of the interrod region at sharp angles (We used to describe that as a keyhole configuration)
Each ameloblast forms one rod and together with adjacent ameloblasts the interrod region Very close to dentin there is no rod structure since the Tomes' processes develop after the first enamel is formed.
Striae of Retzius and cross striations
Incremental lines
Enamel structure is altered along these lines
Cross striations are also a form of incremental lines highlighting the daily secretory activity of ameloblasts

Bands of Hunter and Schreger
Optical phenomenon produced by changes in rod direction

Gnarled enamel
Twisting of rods around each other over the cusps of teeth

Enamel tufts and lamellae
They are like geologic faults
Tufts project from the DE junction, appear branched and contain greater concentrations of enamel protein than enamel
Lamellae extend from the enamel surface
Enamel spindles

Perikymata
Shallow furrows on surface of enamel formed by the striae of Retzius

MAXILLARY LATERAL INCISORS

it is shorter, narrower, and thinner.

Facial: The maxillary lateral incisor resembles the central incisor, but is narrower mesio-distally. The mesial outline resembles the adjacent central incisor; the distal outline--and particularly the distal incisal angle is more rounded than the mesial incisal angle (which resembles that of the adjacent central incisor. The distal incisal angle resembling the mesial of the adjacent canine.

Lingual: On the lingual surface, the marginal ridges are usually prominent and terminate into a prominent cingulum. There is often a deep pit where the marginal ridges converge gingivally. A developmental groove often extends across the distal of the cingulum onto the root continuing for part or all of its length.

Proximal: In proximal view, the maxillary lateral incisor resembles the central except that the root appears longer--about 1 1/2 times longer than the crown. A line through the long axis of the tooth bisects the crown.

Incisal: In incisal view, this tooth can resemble either the central or the canine to varying degrees. The tooth is narrower mesiodistally than the upper central incisor; however, it is nearly as thick labiolingually.

Contact Points: The mesial contact is at the junction of the incisal third and the middle third. The distal contact is is located at the center of the middle third of the distal surface.

Root Surface:-The root is conical (cone-shaped) but somewhat flattened mesiodistally.

MAXILLARY FIRST BICUSPID (PREMOLARS)

It is considered to be the typical bicuspid. (The word "bicuspid" means "having two cusps.")

Facial: The buccal surface is quite rounded and this tooth resembles the maxillary canine. The buccal cusp is long; from that cusp tip, the prominent buccal ridge descends to the cervical line of the tooth.

Lingual: The lingual cusp is smaller and the tip of that cusp is shifted toward the mesial. The lingual surface is rounded in all aspects.

Proximal: The mesial aspect of this tooth has a distinctive concavity in the cervical third that extends onto the root. It is called variously the mesial developmental depression, mesial concavity, or the 'canine fossa'--a misleading description since it is on the premolar. The distal aspect of the maxillary first permanent molar also has a developmental depression. The mesial marginal developmental groove is a distinctive feature of this tooth.

Occlusal: There are two well-defined cusps buccal and lingual. The larger cusp is the buccal; its cusp tip is located midway mesiodistally. The lingual cusp tip is shifted mesially. The occlusal outline presents a hexagonal appearance. On the mesial marginal ridge is a distinctive feature, the mesial marginal developmental groove.

Contact Points;The distal contact area is located more buccal than is the mesial contact area.

Root Surface:-The root is quite flat on the mesial and distal surfaces. In about 50 percent of maxillary first bicuspids, the root is divided in the apical third, and when it so divided, the tips of the facial and lingual roots are slender and finely tapered.

As root and cementum formation begin, bone is created in the adjacent area. Throughout the body, cells that form bone are called osteoblasts. In the case of alveolar bone, these osteoblast cells form from the dental follicle. Similar to the formation of primary cementum, collagen fibers are created on the surface nearest the tooth, and they remain there until attaching to periodontal ligaments.

Like any other bone in the human body, alveolar bone is modified throughout life. Osteoblasts create bone and osteoclasts destroy it, especially if force is placed on a tooth. As is the case when movement of teeth is attempted through orthodontics, an area of bone under compressive force from a tooth moving toward it has a high osteoclast level, resulting in bone resorption. An area of bone receiving tension from periodontal ligaments attached to a tooth moving away from it has a high number of osteoblasts, resulting in bone formation.

MAXILLARY FIRST MOLAR

The first molars are also known as 6-year molars, because they erupt when a child is about 6 years

Facial Surface:-The facial surface has a facial groove that continues over from the occlusal surface, and runs down to the middle third of the facial surface.

Lingual Surface:-In a great many instances, there is a cusp on the lingual surface of the mesiolingual cusp. This is a fifth cusp called the cusp of Carabelli, which is in addition to the four cusps on the occlusal surface.

Proximal: In mesial perspective the mesiolingual cusp, mesial marginal ridge, and mesiobuccal cusp comprise the occlusal outline. In its distal aspect, the two distal cusps are clearly seen; however, the distal marginal ridge is somewhat shorter than the mesial one.

Occlusal Surface:- The tooth outline is somewhat rhomboidal with four distinct cusps. The cusp order according to size is: mesiolingual, mesiobuccal, distobuccal, and distolingual. The tips of the mesiolingual, mesiobuccal, and distobuccal cusps form the trigon, Cusp of Carabelli located on the mesiolingual cusp.

Contact Points; The mesial contact is above, but close to, the mesial marginal ridge. It is somewhat buccal to the center of the crown mesiodistally. The distal contact is similarly above the distal marginal ridge but is centered buccolingually.

Roots:-The maxillary first molar has three roots, which are named according to their locations mesiofacial, distofacial, and lingual (or palatal root). The lingual root is the largest.