Anatomic and Physiologic

Considerations of Form and

Function - 1

Dr Faiza Gulfam
Introduction

 Almost all entities in nature display a form which is

related to their purpose and function
 Three major functions of human teeth
1. Mastication – chewing
2. Esthetics – appearance
3. Phonetics - speech
 In this unit we will discuss tooth form and alignment
as they are related function.

 Dentist who pays no heed to normal tooth form and

alignment , when planning or placing restoration ,
may do more damage to dental mechanism than
can be corrected by dental procedures.
Lobes
 Anatomical divisions of a
tooth, often separated by
distinguishable primary
grooves.
 The lobe pattern in the
human dentition plays a
part in the form and
function of each individual
tooth.
 Permanent Anterior Teeth
o 4 lobes
o 3 labial (mesiolabial lobe,
middle labial/middle lobe,
distolabial lobe)
o 1 lingual - encompassing the
cingulum
Q What is the evidence of presence of labial lobes
on incisors?
 Ans. Mamelons
 Evidence of lobes
o Presence of shallow depressions
on labial surface
1. Mesiolabial developmental
depressions
2. Distolabial developmental depression depression

depressions
 Permanent Posterior Teeth
 PREMOLARS
o 4 lobes
o 3 buccal (mesiobuccal, middle
buccal/middle, distobuccal)
o 1 lingual
Exception Mandibular 2nd Premolar
o 2 lingual cusps thus 2 lingual lobes
o 3 buccal cusps
o Developmental Depressions
o Separation of lobes
 Central groove
 Lingual groove (mand 2nd
premolar)
 MAXILLARY MOLARS
o 4 lobes
o 2 buccal (mesiobuccal and
distobuccal)
o 2 lingual (mesiolingual and
distolingual)
o No developmental
depressions
o Separation of lobes
 Central groove
 Distolingual groove
 Buccal groove
 MANDIBULAR FIRST MOLARS
o 5 lobes (5 cusps)
o Separation of lobes
 Central groove
 Distobuccal groove
 Buccal groove
 Lingual groove
Occlusal curvatures and axial position

o The arrangement and alignment of

arches and dentition is such that it
maximizes efficiency during
mastication
1. Curve of Spee
 Curvature which begins at the tip of
canines and follows the buccal cusp
tips of the premolars and molars
posteriorly, when viewed from their
facial aspect.
o Two dimensional
o Curves upward from anterior to
posterior
o Maxillary molar roots are inclined
mesially & mandibular molar roots
distally.
2. Curve of Wilson

o The medio-lateral curvature of the

occlusal plane of posterior teeth.
o Two dimensional & approx. right angles
to that of the curve of spee.
o Complement paths of condyles during
movements of mandible.
o For posterior teeth to conform to
this curve, the crowns of mandibular
posterior teeth must incline to the
lingual , while the crowns of
maxillary posterior teeth must
incline toward the buccal.
o This curve becomes deeper
posteriorly, so that molar inclination
is greater than that of premolars.
3. Sphere of Monson
o The three dimensional curvature of
the occlusal plane, which is the
combination of Curve of Spee &
Curve of Wilson
o This curvature is in the from of a
portion of a ball, or sphere
o This curvature is concave for the
mandibular arch and convex for
maxillary arch
Axial Position
 Inclination of a tooth from a vertical axis
 Described in following terms
1. Mesiodistal
2. Faciolingual
3. Root inclination (crown would be usually inclined
in opposite direction)
 Significance
o Proper occlusion
o Incisal function
Axial position - Maxillary Teeth
Teeth Direction Inclination
(root)
Anterior Faciolingual Lingual
maxillary teeth
Mesiodistal Incisors: Mesial
Canines: Distal
Teeth Direction Inclination
(roots)
Maxillary FacioLingual Lingual
Premolars
Maxillary MesioDistal Distal
Premolars
Maxillary FacioLingual Lingual
Molars
Maxillary MesioDistal Mesial
Molars (moderate)
Axial position - Mandibular Teeth

Teeth Direction Inclination

Mandibular FacioLingual Lingual (root)

Incisor &
Canines
Mandibular MesioDistally Mesial - Minor
Incisor (root)
Mandibular MesioDistally Distal (root)
Canines
Teeth Direction Inclination

Mandibular MesioDistally Distal (root)

Premolar
Mandibular FacioLingual Lingual (root)
Premolar 1st
Mandibular FacioLingual Buccal (root)
Premolar 2nd
Mandibular MD & FL Distal & Buccal
Molar
 Anatomic and Physiologic
Considerations of Form and
Function - 2

Dr Faiza Gulfam
Crown Surface Form
The geometric configuration of all crown
surfaces of teeth (except Incisal & Occlusal)
can be placed in one of three general
categories: triangular, trapezoidal, or
rhomboidal.
Facial and Lingual surfaces

 All permanent teeth are roughly trapezoidal

 Base – incisal or occlusal side
 Cervical line – represents the shorter parallel side
 This arrangement creates interproximal spaces
between teeth and one contact area between
each pair of adjacent teeth
 Cervical – shorter parallel side
o Adequate bony support
Mesial and Distal Surfaces
 Anterior Teeth
o Triangular
o Base – cervical (strength)
o Apex – incisal ( wedge – tearing, biting and
incising )
 Maxillary Posterior Teeth
o Trapezoidal
o Base – cervical
o Buccal and lingual – constrict towards occlusal
 Mandibular Posterior Teeth
o Rhomboidal
o Crown inclined towards lingual
o Allows proper interlocking of maxillary
and mandibular teeth
Contact areas:
 In a complete arch , each tooth touches or
contacts two adjacent teeth (exception -
most posterior teeth)

 These proximal contact areas are normally

b/w the mesial surface of one tooth & distal
surface of tooth just anterior to it (except
central incisors)
Normally, contact areas
increase in size with age.
Initially as a point in size,
as age increases it broadens
becoming area
Broadening is due to
abrasion , when proximal
surfaces of teeth rub
against against each other.
Due to abrasive action, mesiodistal length of
dental arches continuously becomes shorter.
It is a slow but dynamic process, teeth
become narrower mesiodistally, they are
actually moving mesially , or closer to the
midline.
o Importance of proper location of contact
areas:
1. Stabilizing the dental arch
2. Prevention of food material slipping b/w teeth
3. In food flow pattern
4. In dental restorations
General rules
 Quadrant (anterior to posterior)
o More cervically located
o Relative size of contact area increases
 Anterior teeth
o Contact area centered in faciolingual dimension
 Posterior teeth
o Located to the buccal of center in the facioloingual dimension
 Individual tooth
o On an individual tooth distal contact area is more cervically located
than mesial contact area
Interproximal spaces
 Triangular shaped area b/w adjacent
teeth in the same arch cervical to
contact area & which is best observed
from the facial aspect.
 Interproximal space is filled with the
gingival tissue (interdental papilla)
 The triangle is formed by alveolar bone at its cervical
base, the proximal surfaces of the adjacent teeth on its
sides, and the contact area of the adjacent teeth at its
apex.
 These structures are boundaries of interproximal space.
 Importance
o Shape helps in self-cleaning of
dentition
o Stimulation of periodontium
 Anatomic and Physiologic
Considerations of Form and
Function - 4

Dr Faiza Gulfam
Embrasures
 Open space b/w the proximal surfaces of
two adjacent teeth in the same arch,
when they diverge facially or lingually ,
and incisally (occlusally) or from contact
area.
 Named according to their location,
which depends on the aspect from which
teeth are being viewed.
 When viewing the teeth from either the
facial or lingual aspects
1. Incisal (occlusal)
2. Cervical (gingival) embrasures.
 Cervical embrasure corresponds
to interproximal space & is
normally larger in area than
incisal (occlusal) embrasure.
 When viewing the teeth from
incisal or occlusal aspect,
1. labial (buccal)
2. lingual embrasures.
Importance
 If an imaginary line is drawn to dissect the
embrasure space two portions should be equal
(symmetrical)
• Planning and performing dental procedures
• Esthetics

1. It serves as a spillway for food during

mastication
2. Integral in self-cleaning of teeth
3. Esthetics in anterior part of mouth
Overstimulation of periodontium may lead to its
destruction
General Rules
1. Facial or lingual aspect
• Incisal (occlusal) embrasure increase in size
from ant to post
• Cervical (gingival) embrasure decrease in size
from ant to post
2. Incisal aspect
Labial and lingual embrasure are nearly equal in
size
3. Occlusal aspect
Lingual embrasure is larger than the buccal
embrasure in posterior teeth
4. Same contour of embrasure on both sides
Facial and Lingual height of Contour

 The height of contour (crest of

curvature) is the greatest area of
contour inciso (occluso) cervically on
the facial and lingual surfaces.
 Best observed by viewing from a
proximal aspect.
 Mesial and distal surfaces height of
contour in contact areas
 Aid in proper protection & stimulation
of gingival tissue.
Importance in Gingival Health

Type of contour Consequences

Excessive Flow of food material will be deflected
away from the gingiva , inadequate
stimulation of these tissues may result
in their breakdown.

Insufficient Do not provide adequate protection ,

overstimulation or insult to gingival
tissues may also result in their
deterioration
General Rules

Teeth Surface Height of contour

Anterior and Facial Cervical 3rd
Posterior (Labial)
teeth
Anterior Lingual Cervical 3rd
teeth
Posterior Lingual Middle or Occlusal 3rd
teeth
Cervical line Curvatures

 Line around the tooth where the enamel and cementum

meet.
 Its is a stable entity, in contrast to the gingival line, which
may be ever changing.
 Gingival line
• The gingival line (gingival margin or gingival crest) is
imaginary line which marks the level of termination of non-
attached soft tissue surrounding the tooth.
 Level

• variable
• usually above the cervical line (in early
life)
• receding to a lower level as (older
individual)
 Gingival line separates the clinical
crown and root where as cervical line
separates the anatomical crown and
root.
 Gingival line is always observable
clinically, while the cervical line is
observable only when not covered by
Cervical line contour – General Rules
1. Normally curved (convex) or bulges toward
apical on facial & lingual surface of teeth.
2. Normally curved (convex) toward incisal
(occlusal) on mesial and distal surfaces of
teeth.
3. Amount (depth) of cervical line
curvature on any individual tooth is
normally greater on the mesial than
on distal surface
4. Cervical lines on adjacent
proximal surfaces of adjacent teeth
have approx. the same depth of
curvature.
5. Depth of curvature on all surfaces
is greatest on central incisors, and
decreases posteriorly.
Continuity of Marginal Ridges
Mesial and distal terminations of occlusal surface (posterior
teeth) and lingual surface (anterior teeth)
 Marginal ridges are normally bulkier on posterior teeth.
 The height of marginal ridges of adjacent teeth in the
same arch should be at the same level
 unless teeth are
• malposed
• one or more missing teeth causes
o tipping,
o supraeruption
o rotation
 Adjacent marginal ridges are normally shaped so
that they create a small occlusal embrasure for
post teeth or lingual embrasure for ant. teeth.
Continuity of central grooves of posterior teeth
 Central developmental grooves of post teeth are
normally aligned into one, more or less continuous
valley in each quadrant
 Allows for a trough antero-posteriorly through
centers of occlusal surfaces of posterior teeth,
which results in more efficient food flow pattern
during mastication.
Occlusal anatomy
Groove or ridge pattern on
the masticating surface –
occlusal anatomy
In any dental procedure ,
occlusal anatomy of a tooth
should normally be
reproduced to preexisting
form , location, and relative
height or depth.
Root shape and number of Branches
 The shape , length, and number of
root branches are closely related to
a tooth’s form and function.
 The canine has the longest and
strongest root in both arches (by
virtue of its location and function)
 The molars are multirooted to
complement the increased size of
the occlusal table, as they function
in grinding.
 General rules regarding tooth
roots and branches
1. Roots are normally widest
towards the cervical area and
taper towards the apex
2. Anterior teeth and premolars
normally have single roots
(exception is maxillary 1st
premolar which normally
exhibits two root branches, a
buccal and a lingual)
3. Maxillary molars
normally possess
three roots , one
lingual & two buccal
branches.
4. Mandibular molars
normally have two
roots, one mesial &
one distal branch.
Conclusion
1. Tooth form and function are directly related.
2. The potential for the breakdown of
periodontium is directly related to form &
function. The dentist is under an obligation
to understand & apply the principles of
from & function in all dental procedures.
Thank you.