Why is the natural dentition so important for the human organism? Answers are provided by this brief overview of the definition, structure, function and diseases of the dentition and its components.
What is the dentition?
Schematic diagram showing the anatomy of teeth and dentition. Click to enlarge. Natural dentition is defined as the set of all teeth that grow in a person during his life. The dentition is part of the digestive system, as the teeth together with the periodontium, upper and lower jaw, temporomandibular joint, masseter muscles and associated soft tissues form the masticatory system. With the deciduous dentition and permanent dentition, humans get teeth twice in their lifetime. These are laid out in the jawbone from birth. During the first eruption of teeth from the sixth month of life, the deciduous dentition is formed. The 20 milk teeth are also called milk dentition. From the sixth year of life, the permanent dentition develops with 32 teeth. The transition from the primary dentition to the permanent dentition moves over several years and is called the mixed dentition.
Anatomy and structure
Structured is the natural dentition with one row of teeth each in the upper and lower jaw. Starting from the center of the face, the dentition is divided into a total of four jaw halves. The deciduous dentition consists of two incisors, one canine and two small molars per jaw half. In contrast, the permanent dentition has two large molars plus a wisdom tooth in addition to the small molars (premolars). The teeth are located in the upper and lower jaw in tooth compartments. However, they are not fused to the jawbone. The teeth are held in the jaw by the periodontium, which consists of various retaining and ligament structures. A special feature in the functional structure of the masticatory organ is the U-shaped lower jaw. Attached to the skull bone via the temporomandibular joints on the right and left, it is the only movable bone on the head.
Functions and tasks
The mobility of the lower jaw is very important for the various functions of the dentition. For example, on the one hand, the teeth are needed for pronunciation. So-called dental sounds (dentals) can only be formed with the help of the teeth. The more teeth are missing, the more unclear the pronunciation becomes. In addition to the speech function, the dentition is especially important for the digestive system, as the teeth serve to absorb and break down food. The groups of teeth each have their own function. The sharp-edged incisors are used to bite off food. Due to their long roots, the canines are very stable and can thus hold the food well. In addition, the pointed shape of the canine crown allows the food to be torn apart. In the posterior region, the teeth have wide chewing surfaces. This means that the food is first further crushed by the small molars and finally ground by the large molars. This makes it easier to salivate the food in preparation for digestion. Last but not least, teeth have an aesthetic function. A complete set of teeth supports and shapes the mouth area and is partly responsible for facial proportions.
Diseases and complaints
A common disease of the teeth is caries, or tooth decay. Tooth decay occurs when microorganisms (bacteria) are able to permanently attach to the tooth along with food. If this bacterial plaque remains attached to the tooth, the bacteria metabolize ingested carbohydrates such as sugar into acid, which causes demineralization of the tooth structure. If left untreated, caries leads to the destruction of tooth structures. In addition, the tooth nerve can become inflamed (pulpitis), which usually leads to the death of the tooth. Caries affects over 95 percent of Europeans. This makes it the most common infectious disease in industrialized countries. If the plaque is not removed, it can calcify due to the saliva composition and tartar develops. This is often a cause of periodontal disease. These include inflammation of the periodontium, colloquially known as periodontal disease, and gingivitis. In addition, changes in the dentition, such as tooth loss or malocclusions, can lead to functional malocclusions and thus to discomfort in the temporomandibular joint. In summary, the natural dentition is not only an important building block for the function of the entire body system. Teeth also express social status in society through their external appearance.
Typical and common dental diseases
- Tooth loss
- Tartar
- Toothache
- Yellow teeth (tooth discoloration)
