Teeth

Overview

Adults have up to 32 permanent teeth: in each quadrant two incisors, one canine, two premolars and three molars. Incisors cut, canines tear, premolars and molars grind. Each tooth has a crown covered by enamel, the hardest tissue in the body, a root anchored in the jaw by the periodontal ligament, and a pulp cavity carrying vessels and nerves. This model includes 28 teeth; the third molars (wisdom teeth) are absent.

Functions

• Cut, tear and grind food to begin digestion
• Support speech and the shape of the face

Clinical notes

• Dental caries dissolves enamel and dentine
• Periodontal disease loosens the tooth's attachment
• Impacted wisdom teeth are a common reason for extraction

All structures 28

28 modelled pieces. Click a structure to open it in the atlas.

• Left lower central secondary incisor tooth
• Left lower first secondary molar tooth
• Left lower first secondary premolar tooth
• Left lower lateral secondary incisor tooth
• Left lower second secondary molar tooth
• Left lower second secondary premolar tooth
• Left lower secondary canine tooth
• Left upper central secondary incisor tooth
• Left upper first secondary molar tooth
• Left upper first secondary premolar tooth
• Left upper lateral secondary incisor tooth
• Left upper second secondary molar tooth
• Left upper second secondary premolar tooth
• Left upper secondary canine tooth
• Right lower central secondary incisor tooth
• Right lower first secondary molar tooth
• Right lower first secondary premolar tooth
• Right lower lateral secondary incisor tooth
• Right lower second secondary molar tooth
• Right lower second secondary premolar tooth
• Right lower secondary canine tooth
• Right upper central secondary incisor tooth
• Right upper first secondary molar tooth
• Right upper first secondary premolar tooth
• Right upper lateral secondary incisor tooth
• Right upper second secondary molar tooth
• Right upper second secondary premolar tooth
• Right upper secondary canine tooth