term | characterisitics |
open rooted | continual growth through life |
close rooted | grow to certain length and stop |
Crown | section of tooth exposed to air, consists mainly of enamel (made of hydroxyapatite, most friction resistant surface in vertebrates), dentine (forms bulk of the crown, regenerates), pulp (containing blood vessels and nerves to nourish dentine) |
Neck | where tooth meets gumline |
Root | where tooth anchors in bone, consists of periodontal membrane, cementum (anchors tooth in bone, deposited through life), root canal (flow of blood and nerve connections), opening at tip |
Alveolus | socket in bone where tooth is rooted |
Incisors | type of tooth, for cutting and gnawing, in premaxillae |
Canine | type of tooth, 1 pair upper, 1 pair lower, usually single cusped, for piercing tearing and holding, some for tusks, often open-rooted |
Premolars | type of tooth, usually more than 1 cusp, 2 roots usually (bicuspids) |
Molars | type of tooth, usually 3 roots, not preceded by deciduous counterparts ("baby teeth") |
Crown types | Brachyodont: low crowned, carnivores & omnivores
Hypsodont: high crowned, herbivores, alternate bands enamel and dentine |
Types occlusal (contact) surfaces | Bunodont: omnivores, flat-looking basically rounded for crushing/grinding, Lophodont: herbivores, cusps form series ridges, Selenodont: herbivores, crescent shaped cusps, alternate color enamel dentine bands, Carnassial: carnivores, blade-like shearing |
Diastema | Gap between front incisors ( or incisors & canines) and back teeth (very common in rodents) |