Dental Anatomy

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.…

Age changes in the dentition I. After the teeth have reached full occlusion, microscopic tooth movements occur to compensate for wear at the contact area (Mesial Drift) and occlusal surfaces (by Deposition of cementum at the root apex) 2. Attrition of incisal ridges and cusp tips may be so severe that dentin may become exposed and intrinsically stained 3. Secondary dentin may be formed in response to dental caries, trauma, and aging and result in decreased …

SURFACES OF THE TEETH Facial, Mesial, Distal, Lingual, and Incisal Surfaces The facial is the surface of a tooth that "faces" toward the lips or cheeks. When there is a requirement to be more specific, terms like labial and buccal are used. The labial is the surface of an anterior tooth that faces toward the lips. The buccal is the surface of a posterior tooth that faces toward the cheek. The mesial is the proximal surface closest to the midlin…

Nutrition and tooth development As in other aspects of human growth and development, nutrition has an effect on the developing tooth. Essential nutrients for a healthy tooth include calcium, phosphorus, fluoride, and vitamins A, C, and D. Calcium and phosphorus are needed to properly form the hydroxyapatite crystals, and their levels in the blood are maintained by Vitamin D. Vitamin A is necessary for the formation of keratin, as Vitamin C is for collagen. Fluori…

Periodontal ligament development Cells from the dental follicle give rise to the periodontal ligaments (PDL). Formation of the periodontal ligaments begins with ligament fibroblasts from the dental follicle. These fibroblasts secrete collagen, which interacts with fibers on the surfaces of adjacent bone and cementum. This interaction leads to an attachment that develops as the tooth erupts into the mouth. The occlusion, which is the arrangement of teeth and ho…