Dental Terminology
Chapter 4
POWERPOINT PRESENTATION BY AYESHA MORLEY
September 2023
Introduction
The dental team must :
Know: names, locations, and functions of
teeth
Understand: various systems of numbering
teeth and patterns of tooth eruption
The Dentitions
Primarydentition
Mixed dentition
Permanent dentition
Primary Dentition
Mixed Dentition
Permanent Dentition
Dental Arches
2 arches: maxillary and
mandibular
Maxillary arch (upper)
does NOT move
AKA maxilla
Mandibular arch (lower)
movable arch (TMJ)
AKA mandible
*Occlusion = natural contact
between maxillary and mandibular
teeth in all positions
Quadrants
Mouth is divided into 4 sections
Each section is called a quadrant:
Maxillary right quadrant (UR-Q1)
Maxillary left quadrant (UL-Q2)
Mandibular left quadrant (LL-Q3)
Mandibular right quadrant (LR-Q4)
* reference to patient’s R + L
Each quadrant contains 8 teeth
4 quads X 8 teeth = 32 teeth (permanent)
4 quads X 5 teeth = 20 teeth (primary)
Quadrants and Arches
Sextants
You can also divide the mouth into 6 sections
Each section is called a sextant:
Maxillary right posterior
Maxillary anterior
Maxillary left posterior
Mandibular right posterior
Mandibular anterior
Mandibular left posterior
The HYGENIST uses this method when
they are probing
Sextants
Anterior and Posterior Teeth:
Anterior teeth: Posterior teeth:
12 front teeth that are 20 back teeth that
visible when we smile we chew with (10 in
(6 in each arch) each arch)
include central incisors, Include premolars
lateral incisors, and and molars
canines aligned with little or
form a curving arc from no curvature
canine to canine appear to be almost
in a straight line
Types and Functions of Teeth
To accommodate our variety in diet, teeth are designed
for cutting, tearing, and grinding different types of food
Permanent dentition is divided into four types:
Incisors
Canines
Premolars
Molars
Primary dentition is divided into three types of:
Incisors
Canines
Molars
* There are no premolars in the primary dentition
Permanent Dentition
Primary Dentition
Incisor Teeth
Single-rooted with a sharp, thin edge
Designed to cut food without heavy forces
Located at front of mouth
Means “that which makes an incision, or cut”
Lingual side (tongue side)is shaped like a shovel
to aid in guiding food
Maxillary lateral incisor
Incisor Teeth
Maxillary central incisors Maxillary lateral incisors
Mandibular central incisors Mandibular lateral incisors
Canine Teeth Maxillary canines
Aka cuspids
Located at “corner” of
arch
Designed for cutting and
tearing foods
Longest teeth
Have longest root
(usually last teeth to be
lost)
Referred to as:
cornerstone of dental
arch
Mandibular canines
Premolar Teeth
Aka bicuspids
Have two cusps
Located posterior to canines
Cross between canines and molars
(functionally and appearance-wise)
4 maxillary/ 4 mandibular premolars
Designed for holding and grinding food
Pointed buccal cusps hold food while
lingual cusps grind it
Not as long as canines
Have a broader surface for chewing food
Premolar Teeth
Maxillary 1st premolar Maxillary 2nd premolar
Mandibular 1st premolar Mandibular 2nd premolar
Molar Teeth
Larger than premolars
Have four or more cusps
6 maxillary and 6 mandibular molars
Designed for chewing or grinding up food
Located at back of mouth (last 3 teeth)
Maxillary and mandibular molars differ greatly
from each other in:
shape
size
number of cusps
roots
Molar Teeth
Maxillary 1st molar Maxillary 2nd molar Maxillary 3rd molar
Mandibular 1st molar Mandibular 2nd molar Mandibular 3rd molar
Anterior Teeth - Surfaces
ANTERIOR TEETH – front teeth
Labial - surface toward lips a.k.a. facial
surface
Mesial - surface toward midline of arch
Lingual - surface toward tongue
Distal - surface away from midline of the
arch
Incisal edge - cutting edge of tooth
Posterior Teeth - Surfaces
POSTERIOR TEETH – back teeth
Buccal - surface toward cheek a.k.a.
facial surface
Mesial - surface toward midline of the arch
Lingual - surface toward tongue
Distal - surface away from midline of the arch
Occlusal - chewing surface
Tooth Surfaces
Occlusal surfaces:
Posterior teeth
Incisal surfaces:
Anterior teeth
Lingual surfaces
Buccal/labial or
facial surfaces
Mesial surfaces
Distal surfaces
Summary
Chapter 4 Page 81-98 – textbook
Dentition periods (permanent/primary/mixed)
Dental arches/quadrants/sextants
Types and functions of teeth
Tooth surfaces
Anatomic features of teeth