Appendix Page 1
General Characteristics of All Incisors
(Using the maxillary right lateral incisor #7 as an example )
Facial View Mesial View
Root Axis Line
Mesial
Lingual
9
o n
C
Incisal View
DistalView
Mesial
Facial
Lingual
Refer to letters a -r on back which
describe each feature.
Traits)
General Characteristics of All Incisors (Class
incisogingivally than mesiodistally (facial
a. Crown shapes are rectangular: longer
views).
cervical lines (facial views).
b. CroWns taper from the contact areas to
c. Crown outlines on the distal are more convex than
on the mesial (facial views) EX
CEPT mandibular central incisors, which are known for their symmetry.
distoincisal angles which
d. The mesioincisal angles are more square (or acute) than the
are more obtuse (facial views).
more cervical
e. Mesial contact areas are in the incisal third; distal contact areas are
(facial view) EXCEPT on mandibular central incisors where mesial and distal con
tacts are at same height due tg their symmetry (facial views).
f. Roots taper from the cervica1 line toward the apex (facial and proximal views) and
from the facial toward the lingual (best seen on an actual tooth or model).
g. Roots are wider faciolingually than mesiodistally (comparing proximal to facial view)
EXCEPT maxillary central incisors where dimensions are about equal.
h. When bent, roots often bend to the distal in the apical third (facial views).
views).
i. Roots are slightly to considerably longer than crowns (facial and proximal
(incisal views).
j. Crowns taper from proximal contact areas toward the lingual
cingulum (lingual
k. The mesial and distal marginal ridges converge toward the lingual
and incisal views).
(curve) toward the apex
1. Cervical lines on the facial (and lingual) surfaces are convex
(facial and lingual views).
m. Proximal outlines are wedge shaped (proxímal views).
in the cervical third (proximal views).
n. Facial and lingual crests of curvature are
(curve) toward the incisal AND more so on the
o. Proximal cervical lines are convex Resial versus distal views).
mesial than on the distal surfaces (compare
cingulum,
with a concave lingual fossa and convex
p. Lingual outlines are "S" shapedmarginal horizontal (proxi
ridges more vertical than
with the lingual outline of the
mal views). crown
edges terminate mesially and distally at the widest portion of the tooth
q. Incisal
(incisal views). views).
outlines (incisal
convex (broader) than lingual
r. Facial outlines are less
Appendix Page 2
Incisors
Maxillary Mandibular
Lateral (#7) Central (#8) Lateral (#26) Central (#25)
Distal
Distal
n
Labial n
C
a
m m
Lingual
m
Facial
Mesial n
h
Distal
Incisal
Lingual Lingual Lingual
Lingual
Refer to letters a -r on baok which describe each feature.
Type TraitsLateral
Maxillary That Incisor
Distinguish the Maxillary Central Incisor from fhe
a. Although both have larger cervicoincisal dimension han mesiodistal, maxillary ce
tral incisorS are closer to sqlare. Laleral icisorsare more
cial views). oblong cervicoinCIsay e
b, On both maxillary incisors, the mesioincisal angles are close to 90: the distoinciSa
angles are more rounded (tacial views),
eral versus central incisor (lacial views). but both angles are more rounded on the la
e. Incisal edges slope cervically toward the distal
cisors (acial views). (facial views): more so on lateral in
d. The roots of maxillary central incisors have
crowns and roots closer to the same
length. Lateral incisors have proportionately longer roots relative to crowns (facial
views).
e. When the incisal edges are aligned horizontally, cingula of
maxillary central incisors
are off-center to the distal versus cingula of lateral incisors wbich are centered (in
cisal views).
f. Mesial marginal ridges are longer than the distal marginal ridges (in central incisors
due to the distally displaced cingulum, and in lateral incisors, due to the cervical
slope of the incisal edge to the distal) (lingual views).
g From the incisal view. when the crest of curvature of the cingulum is positioned directly
downward, the incisal edge of maxillary central incisors have a slighi distolingual twist
with the distoincisal corner more lingual than the mesioincisal cormer. Lateral incisor
ridges run mesiodistally with no twist (incisal and mesial views).
h. Mesiodistal dimensions on central incisors are considerably wider than faciolingual
dimensions (rectangular shaped). On lateral incisors these dimensions are more
nearly equal (closer to square) (incisal views).
Type Traits That Distinguish the Mandibular Central Incisor from the
Mandibular Lateral Incisor
Mandibular central incisors are very symmetrical versus lateral incisors which are not.
Examples of asymmetry in lateral incisors include the following:
i. Lateral incisors have the distal proximal contacts more apical than the mesial con
tacts. Central incisor contacts are at the same level (facial views).
i. Lateral incisors have the distoincisal angles more rounded than the mesioincisal an
gles. On central incisors the mesio- and distoincisal angles are quite similar (facial
views).
k. Incisal edges of lateral incisors have a slight distolingual twist (relative to a line bi
secting the cingulum). Central incisors have their incisal edges at right angles (with
no twist) to this bisecting line (incisal views).
1. The crown of the mandibular lateral incisor tips slightly to the distal relative to the
root (facial views).
Arch Traits ThatDistinguish Maxillary from Mcandibular Incisors
m. Lingual fossae are more pronounced on maxillary incisors (often with a lingual pit,
especially on the maxillary lateral incisor). Mandibular incisors have smoother lin
gual anatomy without grooves and pits (ingual views).
n. Maxillary incisors have roots that are more round in cross-section. Mandibular in
cisors have roots that are more ribbon like (i.e., are thin mesiodistally and much
wider faciolingually). Compare proximal views to facial views.
o. Incisal edges of maxillary incisors are labial to the root axis line. Mandibular incisal
edges are lingual to the root axis line (proximal views).
p. Mandibular crowns are smaller and narrower mesiodistally relative to the length ver
sus maxillary incisors which are wider (facial views).
are flatter than on max
q. Mandibular crowns have outlines mesially and distally that
illary incisors (facial views).
r (compared to i). Proximal contact points (crests of curvature) are closer to the incisal
on maxillary incisors (r) (although all inciso
edge on mandibular incisors (i) thanthird
proximal contacts are in the incisal of the crowns) (facial views).
2.1 MAXILLARY CENTRAL INCISOR
First evidence of calcification 3-4 month
Enamel completion 4-5 yrs
Tooth Eruption 7-8 yrs
Root completion 10 yrs
Crown length 10.5 mm
Root length 13.0 mm
Mesio-distal length of crown(At max convexity) 8.5 mm
Mesio-distal length of crown (At cervix) 7.0 mm
Labio-lingual length of crown(At max convexity) 7.0 mm
Labio-lingual length of crown (At cervix) 6.0 mm
LABIAL ASPECT 1. Mesial outline of labial surface is straight with contact area approaching toward
the mesioincisal angle.
2. Distaloutline of labial surface is convex with contact area approaching toward
cervical area.
3. The Distoincisal angle is not as sharp as that of mesioincisal angle.
4. The incisal outline is regular and straight.
5.The root from labial aspect is straight, cone shaped with a relatively blunt apex.
LINGUAL ASPECT 1. The mesial and distal outline of lingual surface is reverse to that of labial aspect
2. The convexity found below the cervical line is known as Cingulum
3. The concavity found between the marginal ridges and Cingulum is known as
lingualfossa.
MESIAL ASPECT 1. The crown is in wedge shape.
2.The incisal ridge of the crown is in line with the center of tooth.
3. Height of contour in labial and lingual outline is at the cervical third area.
4.The root from mesial aspect is cone shaped and is rounded at the apex.
DISTAL ASPECT 1. Distal aspect is somewhat similar to that of mesial aspects except that the
crown appear thicker toward the incisal one third area.
INCISAL ASPECT 1. Incisal aspect is triangular in shape with base of triangle toward labialand apex
toward lingual surface.
2. The mesio-distal dimension is slightly greater than Labio-lingual dimension.
3. Labialoutline is broad and convex, but lingualoutline is taper toward the
cingulum.
2.2 MAXILLARY LATERAL INCISOR
First evidence of calcification 10-12 month
Enamel completion 4-5 yrs
Tooth Eruption 8-9yrs
Root completion 11yrs
Crown length 9 mm
Root length 13.0 mm
Mesio-distal length of crown (At max convexity) 6.5 mm
Mesio-distal length of crown (At cervix) 5.0mm
Labio-lingual length of crown(At max convexity) 6.0 mm
Labio-lingual length of crown (At cervix) 5.0 mm
LABIAL ASPECT 1. Mesial outline of labial surface is straight with more rounded mesio-incisal angle
than that of central incisor with crest of contour is usually at the junction of middle
and incisal one third.
2. Distal outline of labial surface is convexwith contact area approaching toward
cervical area usually in middle one third.
3.The incisal outline is regular and straight.
4. The root from labial aspect is straight and cone shaped (most of the cases it
curves distally in apical one third areas and ends in a pointed apex).
LINGUAL ASPECT 1. The convexity found below the cervical line is known as Cingulum
2. The concavity found between the marginal ridges and Cingulum is known as
lingual fossa.
3. The mesial and distal marginal ridges, linguaoincisal ridge are well developed
4. Deep developmentalgroove at the side of cingulum, usualy on the distal
Side maysometime present.
MESIAL ASPECT 1. The crown is in wedge shape.
2. The incisal ridge of the crown is in line with the center of tooth.
3. The crown is shorter and root is relatively longer.
4. The root from mesial aspect is cone shaped and is rounded at the apex.
DISTAL ASPECT 1. Distal aspect is sornewhat similar to that of mesial aspect except that the crown
appear thicker toward the incisal one third area.
INCISAL ASPECT 1. Incisal aspect is triangular in shape with base of triangle toward labial and apex
toward lingual surface.
2. The labio-lingual dimension is slightly greater than mesio-distal dimension.
3. Labial outline is broad and convex, but lingual outline is taper toward the
cingulum.
3.1 MANDIBULAR CENTRAL INCISOR
First evidence of calcification 3-4 month
Enamel completion 4-5 yrs
Tooth Eruption 6-7 yrs
Root completion 9 yrs
Crown length 9.5 mm
Root length 12.5 mm
Mesio-distal length of crown (At max convexity) 5.0mm
Mesio-distal length of crown (At cervix) 3.5 mm
Labio-lingual length of crown(At max convexity) 6.0mm
Labio-lingual length of crown (Atcervix) 5.5 mm
LABIAL ASPECT 1. Mesial and Distal outline of labial surface is straight from the incisal angles to
the contact area (Incisal one third) and then taper evenly from the contact area to
the cervical area.
2. The labial aspect show regular tapering with sharp mesial and distal incisal
angle.
3. The incisaloutline is regular and straight and is right angle to the long axis of
tooth.
4. The root from labial aspect is straight, cone shaped with arelatively pointed
apex.
LINGUAL ASPECT 1. The lingualsurface is smooth and flat at the incisal one third area between
mesial and distal marginal ridges and then convex as progression is made from
the incisal third to the cervical third.
2. The convexity found above the cervical line is known as Cingulum.
MESIAL ASPECT 1. The crown is in wedge shape.
2.The labial outline of mesial surface is almost straight, except near cervical third
where it is convex.
3.The lingual outline of mesial surface is concaveat the middle third, which
extend upward to join with the rounded incisal ridge and downward to join with
the convexity of the Cingulum.
4. Height of contour in labial and lingual outline is at the cervical third area.
5. The root from mesial aspect is cone shaped and is rounded at the apex.
DISTAL ASPECT 1.Distal aspect is somewhat similar to that of mesial aspect except that the
developmental depression on thedistal surface is more marked.
INCISAL ASPECT 1. Incisal edge isalmost at right angles to a line bisecting the crown labiolingually.
2. The labio-lingual dimension is greater than mesio-distal dimension.
3.Labial outline is broad andconvex, but lingual outline is taper toward the
cingulum.
3.2 MANDIBULARLATERAL INCISOR
First evidence of calcification 3-4 month
Enamel completion 4-5 yrs
Tooth Eruption 7-8yrs
Root completion 10yrs
Crown length 9.5 mm
Root length 14.0mm
Mesio-distal length of crown (At max convexity) 5.5 mm
Mesio-distal length of crown (At cervix) 4.0 mm
Labio-lingual length of crown (At max convexity) 6.5 mm
Labio-lingual length of crown (At cervix) 6.0 mm
LABIAL ASPECT 1. Mesial outline of labial surface is straight withsharp mesio-incisal angle.
2. Distal outline of labialsurface is straight near cervix and become convex
approaching toward incisal area with rounded disto incisal angle.
3. The incisal outline is straight, but tendency to slope in distal direction.
4.The crown is not bilaterally symmetrical
5.The root from labial aspect is straight and cone shaped (most of the cases it
curves distally in apical one third areas and ends in a pointed apex).
LINGUAL ASPECT 1.The lingualsurface is similar to that of mandibular central incisor but is wider
mesiodistally.
2. The shallow concavity found between the marginal ridges and Cingulum is
known as lingual fossa.
MESIAL ASPECT 1. The crOwn is in wedge shape.
2.The labial outline of mesial surface is convex near the cervical line and is straight
from the height of contour up to incisal edge.
3. The lingual outline of mesialsurface is concave at the middle third,which
extend upward to join with the rounded incisalridge and downward to join with
the convexity of the Cingulum.
4. Height of contour in labial and lingual outline is at the cervicalthird area.
5.The root from mesial aspect iscone shaped and is rounded at the apex.
DISTAL ASPECT 1.Distalaspects is somewhat similar to that of mesial aspect.
INCISAL ASPECT 1. Incisal aspect is triangular in shape with base of triangle toward labial andapex
toward lingual surface.
2. The labio-lingual dimension is slightly greater than mesio-distal dimension.
3. Labial outline is broad and convex, but lingual outline is taper toward the
cingulum.
