Shape and function of the teeth | Dentition

Shape and function of the teeth

The forms, and number of the teeth of mammals, to which also the human being belongs, are differently trained according to its food. So, the denture of a herbivore is very different from that of a carnivore. The dentition of humans is that of an omnivore, because we eat both animal and vegetable food.

The shape of the teeth varies according to their function. The incisors and canine teeth have a wedge-shaped configuration, as they are designed to bite and tear food. The small and large molars have a wide surface with bumps and furrows (fissures).

Here the food is crushed and prepared for swallowing. Each tooth in the upper jaw and also in the lower jaw has two contact teeth (antagonists) on the other row of teeth when the bite is closed. A healthy complete set of teeth also models the face, it underpins the lips and cheeks.

Without teeth the lips collapse and make the person look older. In addition, speech also loses its expressiveness when teeth are missing. A healthy set of teeth supports the tongue‘s work for articulation during pronunciation.

Summary

The dentition of humans is in such a way arranged that it is suitable both for animal and vegetable food. In children between 6 months and 2 years of age, the milk dentition, the 1st dentition, is formed. The milk teeth are replaced by the permanent teeth after they have fallen out, the 2nd dentition.

There are schemes for the identification of individual teeth, the most common of which is the one used by the FDI. The teeth have different shapes depending on their function.