📖 Dental Anatomy
MANDIBULAR CUSPIDS
Dental AnatomyMANDIBULAR CUSPIDS
Mandibular canines are those lower teeth that articulate with the mesial aspect of the upper canine.
Facial: The mandibular canine is noticeably narrower mesidistally than the upper, but the root may be as long as that of the upper canine. In an individual person,the lower canine is often shorter than that of the upper canine. The mandibular canine is wider mesiodistally than either lower incisor. A distinctive feature is the nearly straight outline of the mesial aspect of the crown and root. When the tooth is unworn, the mesial cusp ridge appears as a sort of 'shoulder' on the tooth. The mesial cusp ridge is much shorter than the distal cusp ridge.
Lingual: The marginal ridges and cingulum are less prominent than those of the maxillary canine. The lingual surface is smooth and regular. The lingual ridge, if present, is usually rather subtle in its expression.
Proximal: The mesial and distal aspects present a triangular outline. The cingulum as noted is less well developed. When the crown and root are viewed from the proximal, this tooth uniquely presents a crescent-like profile similar to a cashew nut.
Incisal: The mesiodistal dimension is clearly less than the labiolingual dimension. The mesial and distal 'halves' of the tooth are more identical than the upper canine from this perspective. In the mandibular canine, the unworn incisal edge is on the line through the long axis of this tooth.
Nutrition and tooth development
Dental AnatomyNutrition 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. Fluoride is incorporated into the hydroxyapatite crystal of a developing tooth and makes it more resistant to demineralization and subsequent decay.
Deficiencies of these nutrients can have a wide range of effects on tooth development. In situations where calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D are deficient, the hard structures of a tooth may be less mineralized. A lack of vitamin A can cause a reduction in the amount of enamel formation. Fluoride deficency causes increased demineralization when the tooth is exposed to an acidic environment, and also delays remineralization. Furthermore, an excess of fluoride while a tooth is in development can lead to a condition known as fluorosis.
AGE CHANGES of the Periodontal Ligament (PDL)
Dental AnatomyAGE CHANGES
Progressive apical migration of the dentogingival junction.
Toothbrush abrasion of the area can expose dentin that can cause root caries and tooth mobility.
Histology of the alveolar bone
Near the end of the 2nd month of fetal life, mandible and maxilla form a groove that is opened toward the surface of the oral cavity.
As tooth germs start to develop, bony septa form gradually. The alveolar process starts developing strictly during tooth eruption.
The alveolar process is the bone that contains the sockets (alveoli) for the teeth and consists of
a) outer cortical plates
b) a central spongiosa and
c) bone lining the alveolus (bundle bone)
The alveolar crest is found 1.5-2.0 mm below the level of the CEJ.
If you draw a line connecting the CE junctions of adjacent teeth, this line should be parallel to the alveolar crest. If the line is not parallel, then there is high probability of periodontal disease.
Bundle Bone
The bundle bone provides attachment to the periodontal ligament fibers. It is perforated by many foramina that transmit nerves and vessels (cribiform plate). Embedded within the bone are the extrinsic fiber bundles of the PDL mineralized only at the periphery. Radiographically, the bundle bone is the lamina dura. The lining of the alveolus is fairly smooth in the young but rougher in the adults.
Clinical considerations
Resorption and regeneration of alveolar bone
This process can occur during orthodontic movement of teeth. Bone is resorbed on the side of pressure and opposed on the site of tension.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis of the alveolar process can be caused by inactivity of tooth that does not have an antagonist
CEMENTUM vs. BONE
Dental AnatomyCEMENTUM vs. BONE
Cementum simulates bone
1) Organic fibrous framework, ground substance, crystal type, development
2) Lacunae
3) Canaliculi
4) Cellular components
5) Incremental lines (also known as "resting" lines; they are produced by continuous but phasic, deposition of cementum)
Differences between cementum and bone
1) Cementum is not vascularized
2) Cementum has minor ability to remodel
3) Cementum is more resistant to resorption compared to bone
4) Cementum lacks neural component
5) Cementum contains a unique proteoglycan interfibrillar substance
6) 70% of bone is made by inorganic salts (cementum only 46%)
Relation of Cementum to Enamel at the Cementoenamel Junction (CEJ)
"OMG rule"
In 60% of the teeth cementum Overlaps enamel
In 30% of the teeth cementum just Meets enamel
In 10% of the teeth there is a small Gap between cementum and enamel