The Canines
Learning Objectives
Generals of canines, including function and
class traits
Anatomy of maxillary canines
Anatomy of mandibular canines
Generals of Canines
The 6 11
Canines
There are four canines:
numbers 6, 11, 22, 27
They are the longest of
the permanent teeth
27 22
The Canines
Called cornerstones of the
arches
Also known as cuspids,
eyeteeth, or fangs
The Canines
Frequently the last teeth to
be lost to dental disease
Term is greek in origin
Hippocrates stressed the
intermediate nature of canines
(between incisors and molars)
Function
of
Canines
In dogs, cats, and other animals for catching
and tearing food and defense
Essential to their survival
Function
of
Canines
In humans the canines function with incisors to:
a) Support the lip and facial muscles
b) Cut, pierce, or shear food morsels
c) Guide occlusion
d) Good anchors due to size and length of
roots
Class Traits
of
Canines
Longest teeth in
the mouth
Long thick roots that help anchor them in
the alveolar process
Class Traits of Canines
The incisal ridge is divided
into two inclines or slopes
The mesial cusp ridge is
shorter than the distal
They do not have mamelons
Class Traits Distal #6
of Canines
The labial surface is
prominently convex with
a vertical labial ridge
They are the only teeth
with a labial ridge
Class Traits of Canines
Greater labiolingually than mesiodistally
Root is oblong
faciolingually in
cross section
Distal contact area is
more cervical than
the mesial
Distal #6 Class Traits
of Canines
Canines are wedge shaped
proximally
Lingual height of contour is in
the cervical third
Remaining outline is convex
on the lingual in the incisal third
Arch Traits
Maxillary From Mandibular
Maxillary canine cusp
tip is labial to the long
axis of the root
This is best way to
distinguish maxillary
from mandibular
Class Traits of Canines
Occasionally more
than one root
may appear
Actual Extracted Teeth #6 and #22 Demonstrating Multiple Roots
Maxillary Canine
Maxillary Canine
Labial Aspect
Facial is made of three lobes
Cingulum is a fourth
Maxillary Canine
Labial Aspect
Mesial outline is broadly convex
and flat in the cervical third
Mesial contact is at the
junction of the incisal
and middle thirds
Maxillary Canine
Labial Aspect
Distal aspect makes a shallow "s"
and convex in the middle third
Slightly concave in the
cervical third
Distal contact is in the
middle third
Distal cusp ridge is usually
longer than the mesial
Maxillary Canine - Labial Aspect
The crown is as long as
a maxillary central incisor
The root is approximately
3.5 mm longer than a central
Maxillary Canine
Labial Aspect
The root bends
distally in the
apical third
Maxillary Canine - Lingual Aspect
Crown and root narrower lingually
than labially
Lingual ridge from incisal to
cingulum present
Has two shallow fossae on either
side
Maxillary Canine - Lingual Aspect
Cingulum and tip of the cusp are
usually centered mesiodistally
Lingual ridge more prominent than the
mesial and distal marginal ridges
Distal marginal ridge more prominent
that the mesial
Maxillary Canine - Lingual Aspect
Mesial marginal ridge
longer than the distal
The root is narrower on
the lingual than the facial
Maxillary Canine - Proximal Aspect
Labial height of contour
is in the cervical third
Labial surface more
convex than incisors
Cervical line dips incisally
2.0mm on the mesial
Maxillary Canine - Proximal View
Facial and lingual outline
of the root is convex
Quite broad faciolingually
Maxillary Canine - Proximal View
Mesial and distal root
depressions are present
Distal is more distinct
Mesial View Distal View
Maxillary Canine - Incisal Aspect
Striking feature - asymmetry of crown
Line drawn from cusp tip D M
through cingulum will yield
a greater distal half with a
marked concavity labially
Maxillary Canine - Incisal Aspect
Facial aspect quite convex
Mesial half rounded
Distal half flat or concave
Three distinct lobes - middle is most prominent
Mandibular Canine
Mandibular Canine - Labial Aspect
Smooth and convex
with labial ridge
Labial ridge not as
pronounced as maxillary
Mandibular Canine - Labial Aspect
Crown surface in incisal
third slightly flat mesial to
labial ridge
More flattened distal to
labial ridge
Mandibular Canine - Labial Aspect
The mesial side of crown is
slightly convex to flat
Distal is slightly concave
in the cervical third
Mandibular Canine - Labial Aspect
Distal is convex in the
incisal two thirds
More tooth structure
on the distal half
Mandibular Canine - Labial Aspect
Mesial slope of cusp is
shorter than the distal
Cusp tip is centered on
the long axis of the root
Mandibular Canine - Labial Aspect
Mesial contact is well
within the incisal third
Distal contact is at the
junction of the incisal
and middle thirds
Mandibular Canine - Labial Aspect
Root is convex on the
facial surface
Tapers to a blunt apex
Mandibular Canine - Labial Aspect
Root is shorter than
the maxillary
canine and lacks
curvature
Mandibular Canine - Lingual Aspect
Crown and root taper lingually
making the lingual narrower
than the facial
Lingual ridge and fossae not as
prominent as maxillary
Cingulum is lower and less
prominent than maxillary
Mandibular Canine - Lingual Aspect
Pits and grooves rarely ever present
Marginal ridges not prominent
surface appears smooth
Distal marginal ridge more
prominent than lingual and
mesial ridges
Mandibular Canine - Lingual Aspect
Facial outline of root is
visible from the lingual
Mandibular Canine - Proximal Aspect
The crown is wedge shaped
but thinner in the incisal
aspect than the maxillary
Incisal ridge is lingual or on
the long axis of the root
Mandibular Canine - Proximal Aspect
Distal incisal angle is more
lingual than the cusp tip
Mandibular Canine - Proximal Aspect
The CEJ curves more incisally
on the mandibular canine
than the maxillary
Height of contour on facial
more cervical than maxillary
Mandibular Canine - Proximal Aspect
The cingulum is
low and flattened
There are clear mesial
and distal root
depressions (distal
more prominent)
Mesial View Distal View
Mandibular Canine - Incisal Aspect
Labiolingual measurement is
greater than the mesiodistal
Outline is more symmetrical
than the maxillary canine
Mandibular Canine - Incisal Aspect
Similarity between canines
more convex on mesial
half of crown
Flat or concave on the
distal half
Mandibular Canine - Incisal Aspect
The crown is twisted on the
incisal edge to the distal
The cingulum is centered
or slightly distal to the
long axis
