Notes on Dental Anatomy and Terminology

Sep 14, 2024

Lentis Pay Academy: Tooth Anatomy and Terminology

Parts of the Tooth

  • Crown (Corona Dentis): Upper part.
  • Root (Radix Dentis): Lower part of the tooth.
  • Neck of the Tooth (Cervical/Cervix Dentis): Neck part of the tooth.
  • Cervical Line: Junction of the parts.

Tooth Tissues

  • Hard Tissues:
    • Enamel Tissue: Visible white part of the tooth.
    • Cementum Tissue: Root entrance, external structure in the gum.
    • Dentin Tissue: Underlying layer of the enamel.
  • Soft Tissue:
    • Pulp Tissue: Contains nourishing blood vessels and nerves.

Jaw and Tooth Terminology

  • Mandible: Lower jawbone, single piece.
  • Maxilla: Upper jawbone, two pieces.
  • Vestibulum Oris: Front oral cavity.
  • Cavum Oris Proprium: Main oral cavity.

Tooth Directions

  • Anterior: Front teeth (Central, Lateral, Canine).
  • Posterior: Back teeth (Premolar, Molar).

Tooth Surfaces

  • Labial/Vestibular Surface: Lip-facing surface of front teeth.
  • Buccal Surface: Cheek-facing surface of back teeth.
  • Lingual Surface: Tongue-facing surface of lower jaw teeth.
  • Palatal Surface: Palate-facing surface of upper jaw teeth.

Tooth Surfaces (Mesial-Distal)

  • Mesial Surface: Part of the tooth closer to the center axis.
  • Distal Surface: Part farther from the center axis.

Chewing Surfaces

  • Incisal Surface: Chewing surface of front teeth.
  • Occlusal Surface: Chewing surface of back teeth.

Tertiary Areas

  • Cervical Third: Neck part of the tooth.
  • Middle Third: Middle of the tooth.
  • Incisal Third: Top of the front teeth.
  • Apical Third: Exit area of the tooth.

Anatomical Structures of the Tooth

  • Cusp: Rounded elevations where there is excess enamel.
  • Cingulum: Elevation on the lingual surface of anterior teeth.
  • Fossa: Depressions formed by the deepening of grooves.
  • Developmental Groove: Indentations between the main segments of the crown or root of the tooth.

Other Terms

  • Bifurcation/Trifurcation: Root division points.
  • Vestibular Surface: Forward-facing surface.
  • Posterior: Back teeth.

Recommendations

  • It was emphasized that terms like oblique ridge and fossa should be known; understanding of tooth anatomy will develop over time.

Note: This lesson is important for understanding the terminology. Further lessons will delve into the details of these terms.