Question

Anatomy Tutorial: Teeth

Answer 1

\({\bf{Basic~Functions:}}\)
> mastication
> covers food with salivary secretions, enzymes

\({\bf{Terminology:}}\)
> dentin/dentine: mineral matrix, dead cells
> pulp cavity: blood vessels, lymph, nerves that support / maintain dentin. spongy.
> root canal: tunnel into the pulp cavity
> root: base of tooth
> apical foramen: opening at the tip of root through which the dental artery, dental vein, dental nerve pass through
> tooth socket/alveolus: holds the root
> peridontal ligament: connects dentine and root, makes gomphosis
> cement: covers the dentine+anchors peridontal ligament
> neck: boundary btwn root and crown
> crown: visible part of tooth
> gingival sulcus: groove around the neck, protects against bacterial infection of the gingiva (infection --> gingivitis, makes your gums bleed if you don't floss enough)
> enamel: covers dentine on the crown; made of calcium phosphate, hardest substance naturally produced by body
> occlusal surface: surface of the tooth that contacts food
> cusps: projections of the occlusal surface

Answer 2

\({\bf{Types ~of~Teeth:}}\)
> maxillary dental arcade: alveolar process of the maxillae, contains the upper teeth
> mandibular dental arcade: alveolar process of the mandible: contains the lower teeth

4 types:
> incisors: sharp teeth at the front of mouth
> canines: cone-shaped teeth, sharp ridge, create sharing motion
> premolars (bicuspids): flattened crown, two cusps, crushing/grinding motion
> molars: flat crowns with 4-5 cusps, also crush and grind. 2-3 roots depending on whether they're in the upper or lower jaw

Answer 3

\({\bf{Growth~and~Replacement:}}\)
> two sets: deciduous and permanent appear in childhood
- replaced by permanent teeth
> ligaments and roots decay
> deciduous teeth either fall out naturally or get pushed aside by the eruption (forcible pushing through) of permanent teeth
> tooth count: 20 --> 32 adult teeth
> third molars (wisdom teeth): often grow in weird positions and crowd out other teeth, are often removed surgically before adulthood

\({\bf{Mastication:}}\)
> pushes food back/forth btwn vestibule and oral cavity, contacting occlusal surfaces
> buccal, labial, lingual muscles (cheek, lips, tongue)
> tongue forms food into a bolus which can then be sent down the esophagus for further processing/digestion

Answer 4

TL;DR brush and floss ur teeth kiddos, dental problems are hella $$$ to fix and your teeth are one of the first things people judge you by

Adapted from Human Anatomy, Martini, et. al. 9th edition