From the Research
The teeth on the lower jaw, or mandible, include incisors, canines, premolars, and molars, with specific designations in dental notation, such as numbers 17-32 in the Universal Numbering System for the lower teeth. The lower jaw typically contains four incisors at the front (two central and two lateral), two canines (one on each side of the incisors), four premolars (two on each side behind the canines), and six molars (three on each side at the back, including the wisdom teeth) 1. These teeth are named based on their location and function: incisors for cutting food, canines for tearing, premolars for crushing and grinding, and molars for extensive grinding.
- The anatomy of lower teeth mirrors their upper counterparts in function, though they're generally smaller and have different root structures.
- Understanding these names is important for dental care and communication with dental professionals about specific teeth, as incorrect diagnosis can lead to unnecessary dental treatment 2, 3.
- Recent studies have focused on improving diagnosis and treatment of dental pain, including the use of non-opioid medications for acute dental pain management 4.
- Additionally, advances in imaging techniques, such as X-ray dark-field tomography, have shown promise in detecting tooth microcracks and improving diagnosis of cracked tooth syndrome 5.