Permanent Mandibular

Incisors
 Introduction

• Simplest, least variable teeth

• Centrals slightly smaller than laterals
• Crowns are narrower M-D relative to
the I-C length
 Permanent Mandibular
Central Incisor

• Arch position: adjacent to midline

• Universal #24 and #25
• Narrowest M-D width
and smallest crown size*
• Very symmetrical crown
 Development Timeline:

• Initial calcification: 3 - 4 months

• Enamel completed: 4 - 5 years
• Eruption: 6 - 7 years
• Root completion: 9 years
 Labial View
• Incisal 2/3 generally flat to slightly
convex
• Height of contour
at cervical third
• Geometric form: trapezoidal
 Labial View - mesial outline:

• Even straight taper towards

cervical
• MI angle angular
• Mesial HOC
at the incisal third
 Labial View - distal outline:

• Almost a mirror image of

mesial outline
• Difficult to distinguish
M from D
 Labial View - incisal outline:

• Perpendicular to long axis

• One wear facet -
only anterior tooth that
opposes one tooth*
 Lingual View

• Surface relatively smooth

• Marginal ridges indistinct
• Lingual fossa shallow
• No pits or grooves
Lingual view:

• Diminished cingulum
• Height of contour
at cervical third
 Mesial View

• Labial outline fairly

straight at incisal 2/3
• Facial and lingual
heights of contour
at cervical third
Mesial view:

• Incisal edge lingual to

long axis of tooth*
• Incisal edge
slopes facially
• HOC at incisal third
 Distal View
• Similar to mesial
• CE line curvature
slightly less than mesial
• HOC also at
incisal third (unique)
 Incisal View
• Wider F-L than M-D
• Diamond-shaped outline
• See more of facial than lingual
• M and D halves symmetrical
• Incisal edge is perpendicular
to F-L bisector*
 Root
• Normally single and straight,
occasional bifurcated
• Gradual taper
to sharp apex
Root:
• Wider F-L, narrower M-D
• Slight root concavities M and D
• Cross-section at cervical: rounded
rectangle
Permanent Mandibular Lateral
Incisor
 General Characteristics

• Arch position: 2nd tooth from midline

• Universal #23 and #26
• Very similar in form to mandibular
central
 Development Timeline:

• Initial calcification: 3 - 4 months

• Enamel completed: 4 - 5 years
• Eruption: 7 - 8 years
• Root completion: 10 years
 Labial View
• Very similar to mandibular central
except DI angle slightly more rounded
• M and D heights of contour
at incisal third,
D slightly more cervical
 Lingual View

• Similar to mandibular central

• Cingulum slightly offset
to distal
 Mesial and Distal Views

• Similar to mandibular central

except:
– Distal incisal corner
visible from mesial*
M and D views:
• Mesial CE line curvature slightly
more than distal
 Incisal View
• Incisal edge curves towards lingual
in distal portion*
• Distal HOC more lingual than mesial
• Cingulum appears offset to distal
• Crown appears twisted on root
• Two facets of wear
 Root

• Similar to mandibular central

except slightly wider, thicker
• Root concavities present with distal
more pronounced
• Occasional bifurcated root
How To Tell Mandibular
Central from Lateral:
• Distal corner of incisal
edge twisted lingually
on lateral*
• One wear facet on central,
two facets on lateral
Lateral vs central:
• DI corner of lateral very slightly
more rounded
• Cingulum slightly offset to distal
How to tell right from left:

• Very difficult with mandibular

centrals
Right from left:
• Laterals:
– lingual twist of distal incisal edge*
– DI slightly more rounded
– Cingulum offset distally
Wax Quiz
Dimensions:

• 10: 0 - 0.1 mm off

• 9: 0.2 - 0.4 mm off
• 8: 0.5 - 0.9 mm off
• 7: 1.0 - 1.5 mm off
• 6: greater than 1.5 mm off
Axial Contours:

• Surface contours as compared to

the original
– Facial, lingual, mesial, distal, incisal,
occlusal
– Line angles, point angles
Occlusal surface:

• Only posterior teeth!

• Cusps, marginal ridges, cusp ridges,
grooves, etc as compared with
original
CE Line:

• Position, contour, smoothness,

transition from root to crown
Surface Texture:

• Smoothness, without visible

scratches or irregular surfaces
• Wax additions should be seamless
Surface Polish:

• Degree of surface shine

• No foreign coating on the surface,
e.g. Speedshine, die lube, etc.