Types of Teeth, Their Function and Shapes

June 06, 2023 3 min read

Types of Teeth, Their Function and Shapes


Human mouths contain an impressive collection of teeth that each serve a distinct function in terms of chewing food and breaking it down for digestion. Teeth are essential components of overall oral health.

They help break down food by crushing or cutting their teeth before swallowing. The majority of people have 32 teeth. However, some have more, while some are smaller. This is because the enamel (the protective layer on the outside of the teeth) is the strongest component in your body.

Teeth are available in many kinds of shapes and sizes. They vary from person to person. Certain people's teeth are naturally bigger, shorter, or smaller than the rest. Certain tooth edges may not be completely straight, and they may also have tiny lines, giving them an impression of a groove.

Teeth are impressive structures designed to aid the digestion of food. Understanding the various shapes and types of teeth provides insight into their functions while emphasizing the necessity of maintaining good oral hygiene practices.

 

WHAT ARE THE FOUR TYPES OF TEETH?

There are different kinds of teeth, and each has a specific purpose. There are four kinds of permanent teeth found in humans:

  • Incisors
  • Canines
  • Premolars
  • Molars

Incisors

Your incisors are the front teeth in your mouth. A majority of individuals have four incisors in the upper jaw and four in the lower. This includes the front two teeth as well as the teeth to the opposite side.

Each incisor has one sharp edge, which can help cut through food when you chew.

Canines

Canine teeth are named due to their resemblance to the dog's fangs. They're sharper than other kinds of teeth. The majority of people have four canines, one in each quadrant (upper right, left and upper left, lower right, and lower left).

Canine teeth are designed for tearing and grasping foods. 

Premolars

Premolars are also known as bicuspids. They are located behind the canines. 

Humans have 8 Premolar teeth, 4 in the upper jaw and 4 in the lower jaw. They perform crushing and grinding of the food. 

Molars

The molars teeth are the strongest teeth of your mouth. The majority of chewing, approximately 90%, is done there. The majority of adults have 12 molars, with three on each side of the upper and lower jaw.

Molar teeth include wisdom teeth (third molars) are the last teeth to emerge in your mouth. 

Since molars are your primary eating teeth, they're excellent for crushing and grinding your food items.

Discover More:Differentiating Types Of Tooth Pain

 

WHAT ARE THE SHAPES AND FUNCTIONS OF TEETH?

Teeth are available in a variety of shapes and perform different functions according to their size and shape. The different tooth shapes help in grinding, tearing, and chewing the foods to ensure effective digestion.

 

HOW CAN A DENTIST CHANGE THE SIZE OR SHAPE OF TEETH?

If you're thinking of trying to change your smile, the dentist will be able to offer suggestions in accordance with your requirements. There are many possibilities for dentists to employ to change the shape of teeth are:

  • Reshaping the tooth (changing the size from small to large and large to small:
  • Bonding of teeth (applying tooth color resin to fill empty spaces and reshaping the teeth)
  • Dental crowns (lengthen short teeth to change the overall appearance)
  • Orthodontics (aligning the teeth position)
  • Dental veneers (cosmetic procedures which act as a fine shell that's bonded to the tooth's surface)

               

Faqs 

What are teeth made of?

Teeth are made of a combination of hard tissues, such as enamel, dentin, and cementum.

What are the ideal teeth shapes?

The best teeth shape is different for each person; however, typically, they are well aligned, symmetrical, and proportional to the face.

Can teeth change shape over time?

Teeth may change shape over time because of elements like wear and tear grinding or other dental issues; however, the change is typically ongoing.

Do you need to fix misshapen teeth?

Fixing misshapen teeth may be essential for cosmetic reasons and to improve oral functions.


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