ANTH 6- Forensic Anthropology
Odontology
Adapted from: Bass 1995; Burns 1999; Gray 1918; and White 1991

Directional Terms for Teeth

apical--toward the root tip
buccal--surface toward the cheek (posterior teeth)
cervical--around the base of this crown, the neck of the tooth, or the C-E junction (cementoenamel junction)
distal--away from the midline of the mouth
facial--toward the lips or the cheek (i.e., both labial and buccal surfaces)
incisal--toward the cutting edge of the anterior teeth
interproximal--between adjacent teeth
labial--surface toward the lips (anterior teeth only)
lingual--surface toward the tongue (all teeth)
mesial--toward the midline of the mouth
occlusal--toward the grinding surface of the posterior teeth

Dental Terms

alveolar process--the ridge of the maxilla or mandible that supports the teeth
alveolus dentalis--the tooth socket in which teeth are attached by a periodontal membrane
attrition--the wearing down of a tooth surface due to abrasion and age
bicuspid--synonym for a premolar
caries, dental--a localized, progressively destructive disease beginning at the external surface with dissolution of inorganic components by organic acids produced by microorganisms
cementum--a porous layer of calcification covering the tooth root; the cementum provides a site for periodontal fibers to anchor
cervix (neck)--the slightly constricted part of the tooth between the crown and the root
cingulum--the lingual ridge or shelf at the base of upper incisors and canines; in normal occlusion, the lower anterior teeth oppose (touch) on the cingulum of the upper anterior teeth.
crown--this enamel-capped portion of the tooth that normally projects beyond the gum line
crown, clinical--the portion of the tooth visible in the oral cavity
crown, anatomic--the portion of a natural tooth that extends from the cementoenamel junction to the occlusal surface or incisal edge
cusp--a conical elevation arising on the surface of a tooth from an independent calcification center; cusps are named according to their position (e.g., mediolingual cusp, distobuccal cusp)
cusp, Carabelli’s--an extra cuspid on the mesiolingual surface of upper molars; more common in those of European descent
cuspid--synonym for a canine tooth; a small cusp
cusp pattern--the recognizable alignment of cusps on a particular tooth type
dentin, primary--the original dentin of the tooth; ceases to form when this root is completed
dentin--this main mass of this tooth; 20 percent is organic matrix, mostly collagen with some elastin and a small amount of mucopolysaccharide; 80 percent is inorganic, mainly hydroxyapatite with some carbonate, magnesium, and fluoride; structured of parallel tubules.
dentin, secondary--forms after the tooth has erupted, due to age or irritation from caries, abrasion, or injury
dentin, sclerotic--generalized calcification of dentinal tubules as a result of aging dentin, reparative calcification of dentinal tubules immediately beneath a carious lesion, abrasion, or injury
dentinal tubule--the tubules extending from the pulp to the dentinoenamel junction; odontoblastic processes extend into the tubules from the pulp surface
enamel--the dense mineralized outer covering of the tooth crown; 99.5 percent inorganic hydroxyapatite with small amounts of carbonate, magnesium, and fluoride, and 0.5 percent organic matrix of glycoprotein and keratin-like protein; structured of oriented rods consisting of rodlets encased in an organic prism sheath.
gingival--the gum; the dense fibrous tissue covered by mucous membrane that envelops the alveolar processes of the upper and lower jaws and surrounds the necks of the teeth
junction, cementoenamel (C-E junction)--the line around the neck of the tooth at which the cementum and enamel meet
junction, cementodentinal--the surface at which the cementum and dentin meet
junction, dentinoenamel (D-E junction)--the surface at which the dentin and enamel meet
mamelons--small, regular bumps on the incisal edges of recently erupted incisors; indication of youth or (occasionally) lack of occlusion.
periapical--around the tip of this root
periodontal disease--inflammation of the tissues surrounding the teeth resulting in resorption of supporting structures and tooth loss
periodontal ligament--the fibrous tissue anchoring the tooth by surrounding the root and attaching to the alveolus
periodontosis--lowering of the attachment level of the periodontal ligament
pits and fissures--the depressed points and lines between cusps
pulp--the soft tissue in the central chamber of the tooth, consisting of connective tissue containing nerves, blood vessels, lymphatics, and, at the periphery, odontoblasts capable of dentinal repair
pulp chamber--the central cavity of the tooth surrounded by dentin and extending from the crown to the root apex
root--the cementum-covered part of the tooth, usually below gum line
root, anatomical--the portion of the root extending from the cementoenamel junction to the apex or root tip
root, clinical--the imbedded portion of the root; the part not visible in the oral cavity
shovel-shaped incisors--central incisors formed with lateral margins bent lingually, resembling the form of a flat shovel or a snow shovel; common within those of Mongoloid descent (e.g., American Indians)
 

(courtesy Dr. Lorraine Heidecker)
Click on the thumbnail above for a larger view.  This will open a new browser window.

Questions? Comments? Corrections?? email me!