Tooth Morphology Overview - PDF

DENTAL ANATOMY AND
ASSESSMENT OF ORAL
HEALTH

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents.............................................................................................................................2
1.1 Describe the morphology, eruption dates and function.............................................................1
Primary dentition.........................................................................................................................1
Secondary dentition.....................................................................................................................1
1.2. Describe the structure and function..........................................................................................2
Gingivae.......................................................................................................................................2
1.3. Describe the position and function...........................................................................................2
Salivary glands.............................................................................................................................2
Muscles of mastication................................................................................................................3
1.4. Describe the structure...............................................................................................................3
Maxilla.........................................................................................................................................3
Mandible......................................................................................................................................3
1.5. Describe the movements of the temporo-mandibular joint......................................................3
1.6. Describe the nerve and blood supply to the teeth and supporting structures............................4
2.1. Explain the main purpose of oral health assessment................................................................4
2.2. Explain the reasons for taking radiographs and photographs during assessment and treatment
planning...........................................................................................................................................4
2.3. Describe the methods of assessing and recording soft and hard tissue conditions...................4
2.4. Explain the methods of assessing and recording periodontal conditions using periodontal
charts................................................................................................................................................5
2.5. Evaluate the methods of measuring pulp vitality.....................................................................5
2.6. Describe materials used in dental assessment..........................................................................5
2.7. Explain the relevance of obtaining written informed consent prior to any treatment being
undertaken........................................................................................................................................5
3.1. Describe the classifications of malocclusion............................................................................6
3.2 Types of orthodontic appliances................................................................................................6
3.3. Explain pre and post- operative instructions for orthodontic procedures.................................6

3.4. Explain the role of the Dental Nurse in providing support during orthodontic........................6
4.1 Explain diseases of the oral mucosa..........................................................................................6
4.2. Describe the effects of ageing on the soft tissue.......................................................................7
4.3. Identify medical conditions that may affect the oral tissues.....................................................7
5.1. Explain the methods of diagnosis, prevention and management of malignant lesions and
potentially malignant lesions...........................................................................................................7
5.2 diagnosis and management of disorder......................................................................................7
5.3. List the classes of drugs that are used in dentistry....................................................................8
5.4. Explain the role of drugs used in dentistry...............................................................................8
6.1 Identify medical emergencies....................................................................................................8
6.2. Explain action to take in response to medical emergencies.....................................................9
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

1.1 Describe the morphology, eruption dates and function
Primary dentition
These are the first teeth the erupts into oral cavity and comprises of 20 teeth. Many times,
such teeth are also named as deciduous teeth (Balaji, 2016). These teeth exfoliate ones the
permanent teeth erupt. These teeth are important for the development of mouth. They also
maintain arch length within the jaw. They also provide guidance to for eruption path of the
permanent teeth.
Tooth Eruption Date
(Avg.)
Maxillary
Central Incisor 8-12 Months
Lateral Incisor 9-13 Months
Canine 16-22 Months
1st Molar 13-19 Months
2nd Molar 25-33 Months
Mandibular
Central Incisor 6-10 Months
Lateral Incisor 10-16 Months
Canine 17-23 Months
1st Molar 14-18 Months
2nd Molar 22-31 Months
Secondary dentition
It is also called as permanent dentition and comprises of 32 teeth. There are 16 teeth in the
maxilla and 16 in the mandible. Their main function is to grip and tear food. These teeth also
help in tearing, biting and chewing the food.
Tooth Eruption Date
(Avg.)
Maxillary
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Central Incisor 7-8 Years
Lateral Incisor 8-9 Years
Canine 11-12 Years
1st Premolar 10-11 Years
2nd Premolar 10-12 Years
1st Molar 6-7 Years
2nd Molar 11-13 Years
3rd Molar 17-21 Years
Mandibular
Central Incisor 7-8 Years
Lateral Incisor 8-9 Years
Canine 9-10 Years
1st Premolar 10-12 Years
2nd Premolar 11-12 Years
1st Molar 6-7 Years
2nd Molar 11-13 Years
3rd Molar 17-21 Years
1.2. Describe the structure and function
Gingivae
It is a tissue that surrounds as well as protects underlying bone and teeth. Normally it is
attached to teeth and helps in protecting underlying bones and provides protection to teeth
against infection. If a person has bad oral hygiene then it is mainly due to bacteria plaques build-
up that leads to gingivitis.
1.3. Describe the position and function
Salivary glands
There are mainly three types of salivary glands that are mainly arranged in pairs, parotid,
submandibular and sublingual gland. Their main function is to produce saliva which
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moistens the mouth. Parotid gland is located near the ear, sublingual gland is located below
the tongue and submandibular gland is located in the floor of the mouth.
Muscles of mastication
Muscles of mastication are mainly the muscles that are required for mastication. Mainly it is
used in the movement of mandible as it is the only movable bone in the skill. There are mainly
four types of muscles of mastication and each of them are located at particular position that
affects the movement of jaws (Chandra and et.al., 2016). Four types of Muscles of mastication
and their positions are: Medial pterygoid muscle which is located at plate of sphenoid bone,
lateral pterygoid muscle which is located at horizontal position, masseter muscle which is
covered by quadrilateral muscles and lastly temporalis muscle that lies beneath the arch.
1.4. Describe the structure
Maxilla
Maxilla forms the upper fixed bone of the jaw by combining two irregularly shaped
bones all together located at the roof of the mouth. It contains hard palate in the front of the
mouth. It is quite similar to the lower jaw (mandible) but mandible is a movable part while
maxilla is not. It helps in forming maximum mouth structure.
Mandible
Mandible can be defined as lower movable bone of the jaw that helps in forming lower
part of the skull. Movement of this lower jaw helps in movement of the mouth i.e. opens and
closes the mouth and helps in chewing the food. It is one of the strongest bone of the face.
1.5. Describe the movements of the temporo-mandibular joint
Movement t this joint is mainly produced by muscle of mastication and hyoid muscles. There are
two divisions of the temporo-mandibular joint and both of them have different functions like first
is protrusion and retraction and second is elevation and depression (Lauritano and et.al., 2016).
 protrusion and retraction: upper part of joint allows anterior and posterior jaw movement.
 elevation and depression: Lower part of joint permits mandible depression and elevation,
opening and closing of mouth.
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1.6. Describe the nerve and blood supply to the teeth and supporting
structures
There are various kinds of pulp tissues that contains nerve and blood supply to the teeth.
Pulp extends from crown to the tip of the root where it contains nerve and blood supply of the
mouth. Periodontal ligament and each tooth have a nerve supply and each and every tooth is
sensitive to a wide variety of stimuli. Blood supply is important to maintain the vitality of the
mouth.
2.1. Explain the main purpose of oral health assessment
The main purpose of oral health assessment is to facilitate the movement from restorative
approach to patient care to a long-term preventive approach that is risk based and is required to
meet each and every specific need of an individual patient. It also helps in encouraging patient’s
involvement in managing their own oral health.
2.2. Explain the reasons for taking radiographs and photographs during
assessment and treatment planning
Photography and radiography have always been considered as an invaluable part of
dentistry. Due to this technology assessment and imagination has becomes a lot easier (Meloto
and et.al., 2016). There are various reasons due to which they are taken during treatment and
assessment planning such as: it helps in diagnosis and treatment planning, enhance patients
communication and education, source of legal document, helps in insurance verification,
specialist referral or consultation, laboratory communication is enhanced, way of marketing or
professional advertising, source of bringing improvement in oneself and many more.
2.3. Describe the methods of assessing and recording soft and hard tissue
conditions
There are various methods through which assessing and recording of soft and hard tissue
condition can be done such as:
 Imaging Guide construction: In this a cast model is used to construct a custom-made
acrylic splint to occlusal surface. It helps in locating gaps in splint.
 Reliability method: In this, images are used to record patients soft and hard tissue
conditions.
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2.4. Explain the methods of assessing and recording periodontal conditions
using periodontal charts
Methods to assess and record periodontal conditions using periodontal conditions are: by
examining mouth by building tartar and by checking any kind of bleeding or by taking X-rays as
it helps in checking bone loss in areas where dentist observe deeper pockets depth. Measuring
pocket depth by placing dental probe beside tooth beneath gumline and by checking it with
periodontal charts.
2.5. Evaluate the methods of measuring pulp vitality
There are three main types of methods that help in measuring pulp vitality such as:
electrical, thermal, and pulse oximetry methods.
Pulse oximetry method: It helps in measuring vascular health by evaluating oxygen saturation.
Electrical method: this method uses electrical pulp tester which helps in registering pulp vitality
(Tonetti and et.al,. 2015).
Thermal method: In this method heat is produced which helps in expansion of thermal fluid in
pulp space which in turn extracts pressure or inflamed periodontal tissues.
2.6. Describe materials used in dental assessment
 Amalgam: it is also known as filling. It is used for filling gaps.
 Composite: it is used for conservative restorative dentistry and pulp protection.
 Glass Ionomere: it is mainly used for temporary fillings of deciduous teeth
 Tooth bleaching products: It is used to optimize the aesthetics of yellowed front teeth
 Bone filling products: it is used with an artificial bone graft in order to replace
heterogeneous transplants and homogenous transplants.
 Endodontic: it is used for root treatment.
2.7. Explain the relevance of obtaining written informed consent prior to any
treatment being undertaken
It is important for dentist to be well informed to consult fundamental procedure with the patient
so that they are well informed with the treatments and procedure. It is important to obtain written
informed consent prior to any treatment being undertaken as it comes under the law that affects
patients in order to provide care within legal framework.
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3.1. Describe the classifications of malocclusion
There are three classifications of malocclusion namely overbites, underbites, open bites and
crossbites.
 Overbites: In case of overbites irregular contact of teeth of upper and lower jaw happened
at fast pace.
 Underbites: It is abnormal alignment of teeth of both jaws (Tonetti and et.al,. 2015).
 Open bites: It refer to anterior open bite. In this case people have teeth on both jaws that
slant outward.
 Crossbites: It is inverse of open bites and all teeth are moving toward inward have
collide.
3.2 Types of orthodontic appliances
Some of orthodontic appliances are as follows.
 Rubber bands: Wearing rubber bands improve fit of upper and lower teeth.
 Forsus: Forsus Fatigue Resistant Device application lead to improvement in fit of teeth
which lead to less chances for requirement of jaw surgery (Ruangsri and et.al., 2016).
 Herbst appliance: Its use lead to reduction in overbite as lower jaw teeth move forwards
and other haw teeth move backward.
3.3. Explain pre and post- operative instructions for orthodontic procedures
Before starting of procedure patient need to eat food full diet and take tablets to control
inflammation caused after operations (Cohen and et.al., 2015). After operations of orthodontic
patient need to follow some of instructions like they have to take care of eating food (avoid
sticky edible items) and engaging in any game activity.
3.4. Explain the role of the Dental Nurse in providing support during
orthodontic
Nurse prepare items for surgery in respect to making available raw items and equipment’s to
the orthodontic in room. Nurse is also responsible for clean up after surgery of patient.
4.1 Explain diseases of the oral mucosa
Types of disease in respect to oral mucosa are explained below.
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 Buccal mucosa refers to the inside lining of the cheeks and floor of the mouth and is part
of the lining mucosa (Balaji, 2016).
 Labial mucosa refers to the inside lining of the lips and is part of the lining mucosa.
 Alveolar mucosa refers to the lining between the buccal and labial mucosae
4.2. Describe the effects of ageing on the soft tissue
Ageing have huge impact on soft tissue as with passage of time tissues become thinner and
drier which reduce their elasticity (Chandra and et.al., 2016). Hence, it can be said that ageing
has very high negative impact on soft tissue.
4.3. Identify medical conditions that may affect the oral tissues
One of the medical condition that may affect oral tissues are oral cancer under which doctor
can detect cancer at earlier stage by identifying subtle changes in the mouth dentist can take
corrective action to treat patient (Lauritano and et.al., 2016).
5.1. Explain the methods of diagnosis, prevention and management of
malignant lesions and potentially malignant lesions
 Malignant lesions: Malignant lesions are cancerous in nature and it comes in existence
because of tumour that is in patient body. It can be prevented if malignant detect earlier
in the human body (Meloto and et.al., 2016). In order to diagnose mentioned disease
there is need to perform urgent operations.
 Potentially malignant lesion: It is sort of above method and in same also doctor need be
to complete all formalities in respect to operation.
5.2 diagnosis and management of disorder
 Oral Mucosa: Its diagnosis is surgical removal and microscopic operation. For long term
management treatment can be taken from oral pathologists.
 Soft tissue: Surgery of soft tissue, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are some of the
approaches for diagnosing soft tissue problems in human body (Soft tissue injuries.,
2017). In order to manage soft tissue disorder stretching and exercises can be done.
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 Facial pain: Facial pain is diagnosed by identifying part of face that is hurt, frequency of
pain and time period of pain etc (Listl and et.al., 2015). To manage pain jaw exercises are
suggested to patient along with anti-inflationary drugs.
 Facial bones: diagnosis is done through physical examination by doctor. Apart from this,
CT scan and X rays are the other diagnosis approaches that are used to diagnosis
disorder. Management approach of facial pain apply in this case also (Shah and et.al.,
2015).
 Facial joints: Like facial bones in this case also CT scan, X ray and physical examination
is used for management of disorder. Management approach of facial pain apply in this
case also.
5.3. List the classes of drugs that are used in dentistry
Classes of drugs used in dentistry are explained below.
 Dugs to control pain and anxiety
 Anti-inflammation drugs
 Topical analgesics
 Drugs to control plague
 Drugs to treat periodontal disease
 Drugs to prevent tooth decay
5.4. Explain the role of drugs used in dentistry
Drugs used in dentistry play a vital role in treatment of disease in patients. It is observed that
these drugs use lead to control of pain and inflammation in patients (Fiorellini, 2016). These
medicines are also helping patients to control tooth decay problem. Thus, it can be said that
drugs used in dentistry have huge importance.
6.1 Identify medical emergencies
Some of the common medical emergencies are given below.
 Bleeding
 Breathing difficulties
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 Seizure
 Pain
 Heart attack
 Stroke
6.2. Explain action to take in response to medical emergencies
Some of the actions to take medical emergencies are explained below.
 Making patient calm
 Using first aid box in case of bleeding
 Making call to hospital toll free number
 Immediately transfer patient to emergency ward
CONCLUSION
On the basis of above discussion, it is concluded that there are large number of people
suffered from dental problems. In order to deal with these problems there are some of methods
that need to be employed by doctor. Patient need to take care of equipment or any wire placed on
teeth or jaw so that desired results can be obtained. There is need to follow proper process for
diagnosis and management of disease from which patient suffered.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Balaji, S., 2016. Burden of oral diseases: Further thoughts. Indian Journal of Dental
Research. 27(3).
Chandra, A. and et.al., 2016. Epidemiology of periodontal diseases in Indian population since
last decade. Journal of International Society of Preventive & Community Dentistry, 6(2),
p.91.
Cohen, L. and et.al., 2015. Obstetric knowledge, attitude, and behavior concerning periodontal
diseases and treatment needs in pregnancy: Influencing factors in France. Journal of
periodontology. 86(3). pp.398-405.
Fiorellini, J.P., 2016. A classification system for peri-implant diseases and conditions. Int J
Periodontics Restorative Dent. 36(5). pp.699-705.
Lauritano, D and et.al., 2016. Why should patients with systemic disease and tobacco smokers
go to the dentist. Journal of Biological Regulators and Homeostatic Agents, 30(2), pp.135-
41.
Listl, S. and et.al., 2015. Global economic impact of dental diseases. Journal of dental
research, 94(10), pp.1355-1361.
Meloto, C.B. and et.al., 2016. Dental practice implications of systemic diseases affecting the
elderly: a literature review. Brazilian Journal of Oral Sciences. pp.1691-1699.
Ruangsri, S. and et.al., 2016. Which oropharyngeal factors are significant risk factors for
obstructive sleep apnea? An age-matched study and dentist perspectives. Nature and
science of sleep. 8. p.215.
Shah, A.A. and et.al., 2015. Development of a disease registry for autoimmune bullous diseases:
initial analysis of the pemphigus vulgaris subset. Acta dermato-venereologica. 95(1).
pp.86-90.
Tonetti, M.S. and et.al,. 2015. Primary and secondary prevention of periodontal and peri‐implant
diseases: Introduction to, and objectives of the 11th European Workshop on Periodontology
consensus conference. Journal of clinical periodontology. 42. pp.S1-S4.
Online
Soft tissue injuries., 2017. [Online]. Available through:<
https://sma.org.au/resources-advice/injury-fact-sheets/soft-tissue-injuries/>.
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