The canines
There are four canines (2 in the maxilla and 2 in the mandible);
Are implanted at the corners of the dental arches.
They erupt between the ages of 9 and 12.
Are unicuspid due to the significant development of the median coronary lobe.
The canines are single-rooted.
Mainly used to break very resistant bodies thanks to the pointed shape of their crown.
Upper canine
The maxillary canine is a transitional tooth between the incisors and the premolars. Also by its mesial half, it resembles an incisor; and by its distal half, a premolar.
The general shape of its crown is that of a “spearhead”.
This crown is quite distinct from the root due to the strong convexity of all its contours.
It is the only tooth represented by a single specimen in each hemi-arch
- chronology
Start of calcification = 4-5 months
End of coronary calcification = 6-7 years
Eruption = 11-12 years
End of apical calcification = 13-15 years
- measurements
Total height = 27mm
Crown height = 10 mm
Mesio Distal Diameter
coronary =7.5 mm
Vestibulo Lingual Diameter
coronary = 8mm
3. description;
3.1. vestibular face
A. crown :
Due to its length, the crown appears short and massive, with a general pentagonal outline.
The free edge is not straight as on the incisors. It has two slopes: a mesial slope and a distal slope.
Before any abrasion or functional wear, the cusp tip is aligned with the coronoradicular medial axis. The mesial slope is generally shorter and less inclined than the distal slope.
• Functional wear induces a distal displacement of the cusp tip. This increases the length of the mesial slope and decreases that of the distal slope.
The mesial contour is usually convex between the proximal contact zone and the cervical line. The maximum convexity (which corresponds to the contact zone) is located in the incisal 1/3, sometimes at the junction of the incisal 1/3 and the medial 1/3.
The distal contour is shorter than the mesial contour. It is usually convex around the proximal contact zone. This is located either at the junction of the incisal 1/3 and the medial 1/3, or in the medial 1/3
The cervical line describes a convex arc towards the root.
The vestibular surface is marked by a vestibular ridge oriented along the coronoradicular axis of the tooth. The importance of this ridge results from the strong development of the median lobe. It is responsible for the strong convexity of the vestibular surface and differentiates the canine from the incisors.
On either side of the vestibular ridge are:
towards the mesial face, a triangular depression whose summit begins in the coronal medial 1/3 and which widens to the free edge. This depression separates the median from the mesial lobe
Towards the distal face, a depression that arises in the cervical 1/3, from the coronoradicular junction, over a large surface that then decreases to the medial coronal 1/3, then widens again as it heads towards the distal slope of the free edge. This depression completely isolates the distal lobe from the median lobe.
B. the root:
The root is long and narrow. Its end is rounded.
Sometimes, the apical 1/3 presents a strong distal inclination, more rarely mesial.
The root surface is smooth and convex
3.2. palatal face
the reliefs of the palatine face are well marked and allow the upper canine to be differentiated from the lower canine
The mesial marginal ridge and the distal marginal ridge constitute the proximal limits of the palatal surface. They are clearly defined and are convex,
Similarly, the cingulum, which occupies a large area in the cervical region, is strongly convex. It is smooth, ovoid in shape and centered. It may bear one or two tubercles.
A prominent elevation originates at the incisal part of the cingulum. It runs towards the cusp tip in the form of a continuous or discontinuous ridge. This is the lingual ridge. In its middle, it is marked by a more or less significant concavity.
The lingual fossa is therefore double. We can describe a mesiolingual fossa and a distolingual fossa.
A pit is often present at the top of the cingulum. Clearly marked grooves delimit the marginal ridges and the lingual fossa. Sometimes, a deep groove separates the cingulum from the lingual fossa.
b. the root:
The root is narrower on its lingual face than on the vestibular face.
The proximal root walls are therefore visible on this aspect
3.3. mesial face:
The crown:
The vestibular contour is convex,
The palatal contour is irregular in shape with a pronounced convexity that occupies two-fifths of the coronal height. The proximal contact zone is located at the junction of the incisal third and the middle third, it is ovoid.
B. the root:
It is wide in the vestibulopalatine direction.
The vestibular contour and the palatal contour are parallel. They then converge towards a more or less rounded apex.
A longitudinal concavity is inscribed on the root surface
3.4. Distal face:
It is differentiated by:
a smaller and more convex surface.
A shorter cervical line
the palatal outline of the distal marginal ridge more accentuated and more irregular.
the proximal contact zone located at the level of the middle third and of rather circular shape
3.5. the occlusal face:
The crown is asymmetrical.
The mesial contour is barely convex. It is wide in the vestibulolingual direction.
The distal contour is strongly convex. It is narrow in the vestibulolingual direction.
Three distinct lobes appear on the vestibular surface. They are separated by two depressions. The median lobe is by far the largest.
The mesial and distal sides of the free edge are relatively thick in the vestibulolingual direction.
The lingual ridge and the two lingual fossae are clearly visible when viewed from this side.
4. Endodontic anatomy:
4.1. Vertical cuts
a. Vestibulo-lingual direction:
-The pulp chamber:
It is pointed towards the free edge.
It widens in the cervical region.
Usually the vestibular contour and the lingual contour are convex. They give a “biconvex lens” appearance.
Sometimes, on the lingual contour, a more significant convexity is located opposite the cingulum.
– The root canal:
It is wide over half the root height.
It then narrows to the apical foramen.
b. Mesiodistal direction:
The pulp chamber:
It has only one pulp horn. This is oriented towards the cusp tip. The cameral contour decreases in diameter from the incisal part to the cervical part.
The root canal:
It remains approximately constant in diameter over two-thirds of the root height. It then tapers in the apical third.
4.2. Horizontal cuts
Horizontal section in the cervical region: The cavity is ovoid with a large vestibulolingual axis.
Horizontal section at mid-root height: The cavity tends to become circular
5. Situation in the mouth:
5.1. In the vestibulo-palatal direction (frontal plane):
The vestibular surface is approximately vertical, the root is strongly inclined on the palatal side 20° with the vertical.
5.2. In the mesio-distal direction (sagittal plane):
The entire root-crown tooth is slightly inclined to the distal side. The root has a more marked inclination of 4° with the vertical.
The lower canine
Start of calcification 4 to 5 months
Crown completed 6 to 7 years
Age of eruption 9 to 10 years
Root completed 12 to 14 years
total height 27 mm
Crown height 11 mm
Root height 16 mm
Coronal mesio-distal diameter 7 mm
Cervical mesio-distal diameter 5.5 mm
Coronal vestibulo-lingual diameter 7.5 mm
Cervical vestibulo-lingual diameter 7 mm
The mandibular canine is similar in shape to the maxillary canine, it is a transitional element between the anterior teeth and the cuspid teeth.
However, all its anatomical characteristics bring it closer to the incisors, to the point of being confused with the mandibular lateral incisor.
This tooth is very slender, its crown and root are flattened in the mesio-distal direction.
Vestibular face more slender, less globular, less wide.
The contours of the crown and root are aligned mesially.
The cuspid summit being offset to the mesial side as for the maxillary canine.
Lingual surface narrower than the vestibular surface; all the elements described for the maxillary canine are found here but blurred
Mesial and distal surface : the vestibular contour of the mandibular canine is strongly convex; the cervical bulge is not very marked on the crown
Pulp chamber; less vast than on the upper canine , it continues with a flattened canal in the mesio-distal direction.
Occlusal view; the contours are identical to those of the maxillary canine.
Shorter root , slightly flatter in the mesio-distal direction .
The canines
Early cavities in children need to be treated promptly.
Dental veneers cover imperfections such as stains or cracks.
Misaligned teeth can cause difficulty chewing.
Dental implants provide a stable solution to replace missing teeth.
Antiseptic mouthwashes reduce bacteria that cause bad breath.
Decayed baby teeth can affect the health of permanent teeth.
A soft-bristled toothbrush preserves enamel and gums.