NEET MDS Lessons
Dental Anatomy
CONTACT POINT.:-The point on the proximal surface where two adjacent teeth actually touch each other is called a contact point.
INTERPROXIMAL SPACE.:-The interproximal space is the area between the teeth. Part of the interproximal space is occupied by the interdental papilla. The interdental papilla is a triangular fold of gingival tissue. The part of the interproximal space not occupied is called the embrasure.
EMBRASURE. :-The embrasure occupies an area bordered by interdental papilla, the proximal surfaces of the two adjacent teeth, and the contact point (fig 4-18). If there is no contact point between the teeth, then the area between them is called a diastema instead of an embrasure.
OCCLUSAL
The occlusal surface is the broad chewing surface found on posterior teeth (bicuspids and molars).
OCCLUSION.:-Occlusion is the relationship between the occlusal surfaces of maxillary and mandibular teeth when they are in contact. Many patterns of tooth contact are possible. Part of the reason for the variety is the mandibular condyle's substantial range of movement within the temporal mandibular joint.
Malocclusion occurs when any abnormality in occlusal relationships exist in the dentition. Centric occlusion, is the centered contact position of the chewing surfaces of mandibular teeth on the chewing surface (occlusal) of the maxillary teeth.
OCCLUSAL PLANE.:-Maxillary and mandibular teeth come into centric occlusion and meet along anteroposterior and lateral curves. The anteroposterior curve is called the Curve of Spee in which the mandibular arch forms a concave (a bowl-like upward curve). The lateral curve is called the Curve of Wilson . The composite (combination) of these curves form a line called the occlusal plane, and is created by the contact of the upper and lower teeth
VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL OVERLAP. :-Vertical overlap is the extension of the maxillary teeth over the mandibular counterparts in a vertical direction when the dentition is in centric occlusion Horizontal overlap is the projection of maxillary teeth over antagonists (something that opposes another) in a horizontal direction.
KEY TO OCCLUSION.:-The occlusal surfaces of opposing teeth bear a definite relationship to each other. In normal jaw relations and when teeth are of normal size and in the correct position, the mesiofacial cusp of the maxillary first molar occludes in the facial groove of the mandibular first molar. This normal relationship of these two teeth is called the key to occlusion.
PERMANENT DENTITION
The permanent dentition consists of 32 teeth. Each tooth in the permanent dentition is described in this section. It should be remembered that teeth show considerable variation in size, shape, and other characteristics from one person to another. Certain teeth show a greater tendency than others to deviate from the normal. The descriptions that follow are of normal teeth.
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.
THE DECIDUOUS DENTITION
I. The Deciduous Dentition
-It is also known as the primary, baby, milk or lacteal dentition.
diphyodont, that is, with two sets of teeth. The term deciduous means literally 'to fall off.'
There are twenty deciduous teeth that are classified into three classes. There are ten maxillary teeth and ten mandibular teeth. The dentition consists of incisors, canines and molars.
Permanent dentition period
-Maxillary / mandibular occlusal relationships are established when the last of the deciduous teeth are lost. The adult relationship of the first permanent molars is established at this time.
-Occlusal and proximal wear reduces crown height to the permanent dentition and the mesiodistal dimensions of the teeth
occlusal and proximal wear also changes the anatomy of teeth. As cusps are worn off, the occlusion can become virtually flat plane. -In the absence of rapid wear, overbite and overjet tend to remain stable.
-Mesio-distal jaw relationships tend to be stable,
With aging, the teeth change in color from off white to yellow. smoking and diet can accelerate staining or darkening of the teeth.
Gingival recession results in the incidence of more root caries . With gingival recession, some patients have sensitivity due to exposed dentin at the cemento-enamel junction.
Curve of Spee.
-The cusp tips and incisal edges align so that there is a smooth, linear curve when viewed from the lateral aspect. The mandibular curve of Spee is concave whereas the maxillary curve is convex.
-It was described by Von Spee as a 4" cylinder that engages the occlusal surfaces.
-It is called a compensating curve of the dental arch.
There is another: the Curve of Wilson. Clinically, it relates to the anterior overbite: the deeper the curve, the deeper the overbite.
MAXILLARY CUSPIDS (CANINE)
The maxillary cuspid is usually the longest tooth in either jaw. canines are considered the corner stones of the dental arch They are the only teeth in the dentition with a single cusp.
Facial Surface:- The facial surface of the crown differs considerably from that of the maxillary central or lateral incisors. In that the incisal edges of the central and lateral incisor are nearly straight, the cuspid has a definite point, or cusp. There are two cutting edges, the mesioincisal and the distoincisal. The distoincisal cutting edge is the longer of the two. The developmental grooves prominent on the facial surface extending two-thirds of the distance from the tip of the cusp to the cervical line. The distal cusp ridge is longer than the mesial cusp ridge
Lingual Surface: Distinct mesial and distal marginal ridges, a well-devloped cingulum, and the cusp ridges form the boundries of the lingual surface. The prominent lingual ridge extends from the cusp tip to the cingulum, dividing the lingual surface into mesial and distal fossae.
Proximal: The mesial and distal aspects present a triangular outline. They resemble the incisors, but are more robust--especially in the cingulum region
Incisal: The asymmetry of this tooth is readily apparent from this aspect. It usually thicker labiolingually than it is mesiodistally. The tip of the cusp is displaced labially and mesial to the central long axis of this tooth.
Root Surface:-The root is single and is the longest root in the arch. It is usually twice the length of the crown.
The very first histological evidence of tooth development appear during the second month of intrauterine life. Calcification of deciduous incisors begins at 3-4 months in utero.
The periodontium consists of tissues supporting and investing the tooth and includes cementum, the periodontal ligament (PDL), and alveolar bone.
Parts of the gingiva adjacent to the tooth also give minor support, although the gingiva is Not considered to be part of the periodontium in many texts. For our purposes here, the groups Of gingival fibers related to tooth investment are discussed in this section.