1

Maxillary Central Incisor

The maxillary central incisors, located on either side of the midline of the maxilla, are the widest
and most prominent of the anterior teeth. They are adjacent to the midline on the mesial and the
maxillary lateral incisors on the distal. They occlude with the mandibular central and lateral
incisors. In mastication, the function of the central incisors is to bite, cut and shear food. They are
important for phonetics and esthetics. They provide support for the lips and help guide the
mandible during functional movement.
Nomenclature

Universal
Palmer
International

Right
8

Left
9

11

21

Development
Intitial calcification

3 - 4 months

Enamel completed

4 - 5 years

Eruption is between
Root completed

7 - 8 years
10 years

Average Dimensions (mm)

Overall Length
Crown Length
Root Length
Crown Width
Crown: Facial-Lingual

24.3 mm
10.9 mm
13.4 mm
8.9 mm
7.3 mm

Maxillary Lateral Incisor

The maxillary lateral incisors are second from the midline in each quadrant. They contact the
maxillary central incisor on the mesial and the maxillary canine on the distal. They occlude with
the mandibular lateral incisor and the mandibular canine. The maxillary lateral incisor is in all
aspects similar to the maxillary central incisor but is smaller and more rounded. Of the permanent
dentition, with the exception of the third molars, the maxillary lateral incisors have a greater
variation in tooth morphology than any of the other teeth.
Nomenclature

Universal
Palmer
International

Right
7

Left
10

12

22

Development
Intitial calcification

1 year

Enamel completed

4 - 5 years

Eruption is between
Root completed

8 - 9 years
11 years

Average Dimensions (mm)

Overall Length
Crown Length
Root Length
Crown Width
Crown: Facial-Lingual

22.7 mm
9.6 mm
13.1 mm
6.8 mm
6.4 mm

Maxillary Canine
The maxillary canines are the third teeth from the midline in each maxillary quadrant at the
corners of the dental arches. Since they are the longest teeth in the dental arch and are firmly
anchored in alveolar bone, they are often called the cornerstones of the mouth. They contact the
maxillary lateral incisor on the mesial and the maxillary first premolar on the distal. They occlude
with the mandibular canine and the buccal cusp tip of the mandibular first premolar. Canines have
a variety of nicknames such as cuspids, fangs and eye-teeth. The canine has two functions of
mastication: it aids the incisors with incising and it aids the posterior teeth with grinding. They
also play a role in esthetics, speech and occlusion. They are the most steadfast teeth in the
mouth, and function as guides in occlusion during mandibular movement. They protect premolars
and molars from potentially damaging vertical and lateral forces during mastication.
Nomenclature

Universal
Palmer
International

Right
6

Left
11

13

23

Development
Intitial calcification

4 - 5 months

Enamel completed

6 - 7 years

Eruption is between
Root completed

11 - 12 years
13 - 15 years

Average Dimensions (mm)

Overall Length
Crown Length
Root Length
Crown Width
Crown: Facial-Lingual

27.8 mm
10.7 mm
17.1 mm
7.9 mm
8.3 mm

Maxillary First Premolar

The maxillary first premolars are in the fourth position from the midline. They replace the
deciduous maxillary first molar and are therefore succedaneous teeth. They contact the maxillary
canine on the mesial and the maxillary second premolar on the distal. They occlude with the
mandibular first and second premolars. They are often referred to as bicuspids because they
commonly have two cusps. Because of its arch position, premolars are important in esthetics,
maintain the vertical dimension of the face, support the corners of the mouth and cheeks, and
prevent sagging in these areas.
Nomenclature

Universal
Palmer
International

Right
5

Left
12

14

24

Development
Intitial calcification

18 - 21 months

Enamel completed

5 - 6 years

Eruption is between
Root completed

10 - 11 years
12 - 13 years

Average Dimensions (mm)

Overall Length
Crown Length
Root Length
Crown Width
Crown: Facial-Lingual

22.6 mm
8.7 mm
13.9 mm (facial)
13.9 mm (lingual)
7.3 mm
9.4 mm

Maxillary Second Premolar

The maxillary second premolars are in the fifth position from the midline. They contact the
maxillary first premolar on the mesial and the maxillary first molar on the distal. They occlude w
the mandibular second premolars and first molars. They are often referred to as bicuspids
because they commonly have two cusps. They replace the deciduous maxillary second molar a
therefore are succedaneous teeth. Premolars aid the canines in shearing and cutting food. The
also aid the molars with grinding during mastication. Because of its arch position, premolars a
important in esthetics, maintain the vertical dimension of the face, and support the corners of t
mouth.
Nomenclature

Universal
Palmer
International

Right
4

Left
13

15

25

Development
Intitial calcification

2 - 2.5 years

Enamel completed

6 - 7 years

Eruption is between
Root completed

10 - 12 years
12 - 14 years

Average Dimensions (mm)

Overall Length
Crown Length
Root Length
Crown Width
Crown: Facial-Lingual

22.4 mm
8.1 mm
14.3 mm
6.9 mm
9.1 mm

Maxillary First Molar

The maxillary first molars are the first permanent molars to erupt and are sometimes referred to
six year molars. They erupt distal to the deciduous dentition and are not considered
succedaneous as they do not replace any deciduous teeth. They contact the maxillary second
premolar on the mesial and the maxillary second molar on the distal. They occlude with the
mandibular first and second molars. They are considered the cornerstones in the development
occlusion because of their eruption pattern and location in the arch.
Nomenclature

Universal
Palmer
International

Right
3

Left
14

16

26

Development
Intitial calcification

at birth

Enamel completed

3 - 4 years

Eruption is between
Root completed

6 years
9 - 10 years

Average Dimensions (mm)

Overall Length
Crown Length

22.0 mm
8.0 mm
12.9 mm (mesiofacial)
Root Length
12.7mm (distofacial)
14.0 mm (lingual)
Crown Width
10.8 mm
Crown: Facial-Lingual 11.6 mm

Maxillary Second Molar

The maxillary second molars are the seventh teeth from the midline. Because they erupt at abo
age twelve, they are occasionally referred to as twelve year molars. They contact the maxillary
first molar on the mesial and the maxillary third molar on the distal. They occlude with the
mandibular second and third molars.
Nomenclature

Universal
Palmer
International

Right
2

Left
15

17

27

Development
Intitial calcification

2.5 - 3 years

Enamel completed

7 - 8 years

Eruption is between
Root completed

12 - 13 years
14 - 16 years.

Average Dimensions (mm)

Overall Length
Crown Length

21.4 mm
7.7 mm
13.1 mm (mesiofacial)
Root Length
12.5 mm (distofacial)
13.7 mm (lingual)
Crown Width
9.7 mm
Crown: Facial-Lingual 11.4 mm

Maxillary Third Molar

The maxillary third molars are the last teeth in the maxillary arch. They are often referred to as the
wisdom teeth and their time of eruption is unpredictable. Their only proximal contact is with the
second molar on the mesial. They occlude with the mandibular third molars. They have more
variations than all other teeth in their sizes, root numbers, crown and root forms.
Nomenclature

Universal
Palmer
International

Right
1

Left
16

18

28

Development
Intitial calcification

7 - 9 years

Enamel completed

12 - 16 years

Eruption is between
Root completed

17 - 21 years
18 - 25 years

Average Dimensions (mm)

Overall Length
Crown Length

18.2 mm
7.0 mm
10.8 mm (mesiofacial)
Root Length
10.1 mm (distofacial)
11.2 mm (lingual)
Crown Width
9.0 mm
Crown: Facial-Lingual 10.7 mm

Mandibular Central Incisor

The mandibular central incisors, the smallest teeth in the permanent dentition, are located
adjacent to the midline on the mesial and the mandibular lateral incisors on the distal. The mesial
incisal edge of the mandibular central incisor contacts the mesial marginal ridge of the maxillary
central incisor in centric occlusion. They lack major variations and their general contours are
simple when compared to other teeth. As part of human dentition the incisors function as a group
in mastication, esthetics and phonetics. Both the central and lateral incisors function in biting and
incising as a team.
Nomenclature

Universal
Palmer
International

Development
Intitial calcification

3 - 4 months

Enamel completed

4 - 5 years

Eruption is between
Root completed

4 - 6 years
9 years

Average Dimensions (mm)

Overall Length
Crown Length
Root Length
Crown Width
Crown: Facial-Lingual

22.0 mm
9.2 mm
12.8 mm
5.6 mm
6.0 mm

Right
25

Left
24

41

31

10

Mandibular Lateral Incisor

The mandibular lateral incisors are the second teeth from the midline in each quadrant. They are
slightly larger than the mandibular central incisors, but otherwise their forms and functions are
parallel. They contact the mandibular central incisor on the mesial and the mandibular canine on
the distal. The mesial incisal edge of the mandibular lateral incisor contacts the distal marginal
ridge of the maxillary central incisor and the mesial marginal ridge of the maxillary lateral incisor
in centric occlusion.
Nomenclature

Universal
Palmer
International

Development
Intitial calcification

3 - 4 months

Enamel completed

4 - 5 years

Eruption is between
Root completed

7 - 8 years
10 years

Average Dimensions (mm)

Overall Length
Crown Length
Root Length
Crown Width
Crown: Facial-Lingual

23.4 mm
9.8 mm
13.6 mm
6.0 mm
6.4 mm

Right
26

Left
23

42

32

11

Mandibular Canine
The Mandibular canines are located third from the midline at the corners of the dental arches and
often called the cornerstones of the mouth. They contact the mandibular lateral incisor on the
mesial and the mandibular first premolar on the distal. They occlude with the maxillary canines
and lateral incisors. The function of the canine in mastication is both incising and grinding. They
also play a role in esthetics, speech and occlusion. The mandibular canines are the longest teeth
in the mandibular dental arch with roots firmly anchored in alveolar bone.
Nomenclature

Universal
Palmer
International

Development
Intitial calcification

4 - 5 months

Enamel completed

6 - 7 years

Eruption is between
Root completed

9 - 11 years
12 - 14 years

Average Dimensions (mm)

Overall Length
Crown Length
Root Length
Crown Width
Crown: Facial-Lingual

27.5 mm
11.1 mm
16.4 mm
7.1 mm
7.9 mm

Right
27

Left
22

43

33

12

Mandibular First Premolar

The mandibular first premolars are the fourth teeth from the midline and are a transition from the
canines, while the second premolars are a transition to the molars. They are succedaneous teeth
and replace the deciduous first molars. They contact the mandibular canine on the mesial and the
mandibular second premolar on the distal. They occlude with the maxillary first premolars and
canines. In function, the premolars aid the canines in shearing or cutting food, and supplement
the molars in grinding during mastication.
Nomenclature

Universal
Palmer
International

Right
28

Left
21

44

34

Development
Intitial calcification

2.25 - 2.5 years

Enamel completed

6 - 7 years

Eruption is between
Root completed

11 - 12 years
13 - 14 years

Average Dimensions (mm)

Overall Length
Crown Length
Root Length
Crown Width
Crown: Facial-Lingual

23.2 mm
8.7 mm
14.5 mm
7.2 mm
8.0 mm

13

Mandibular Second Premolar

The mandibular second premolars are the fifth teeth from the midline. They are succedaneous
teeth and replace the deciduous second molars. They contact the mandibular first premolar on the
mesial and the mandibular first molar on the distal. The occlude with the maxillary first and
second premolars. The mandibular premolars are unique in that the first premolars are a
transition from the canines and the second premolars are a transition to the molars. Because of
its arch position, premolars maintain the vertical dimension of the face and support the corners of
the mouth and cheeks.
Nomenclature

Universal
Palmer
International

Right
29

Left
20

45

35

Development
Intitial calcification

2.25 - 2.5 years

Enamel completed

6 - 7 years

Eruption is between
Root completed

11 - 12 years
null

Average Dimensions (mm)

Overall Length
Crown Length
Root Length
Crown Width
Crown: Facial-Lingual

22.5 mm
8.5 mm
14.7 mm
7.4 mm
8.5 mm

14

Mandibular First Molar

The mandibular first molars are the sixth teeth from the midline. They are the largest and the
strongest mandibular molars. They erupt distal to the deciduous dentition and are not considered
succedaneous as they do not replace any deciduous teeth. They are the first permanent molars to
erupt on the mandible and are often referred to as six year molars. They contact the mandibular
second premolar on the mesial and the mandibular second molar on the distal. They occlude with
the maxillary second premolars and first molars. In mastication, the molars function is in grinding
food. They also have a role in esthetics and phonetics through the support of muscles and the
maintenance of vertical dimension.
Nomenclature

Universal
Palmer
International

Right
30

Left
19

46

36

Development
Intitial calcification

at birth

Enamel completed

2.5 - 3 years

Eruption is between
Root completed

6 - 7 years
9 - 10 years

Average Dimensions (mm)

Overall Length
Crown Length

22.5 mm
8.1 mm
14.4 mm (mesial)
Root Length
13.5 mm (distal)
Crown Width
11.6 mm
Crown: Facial-Lingual 10.6 mm

15

Mandibular Second Molar

The mandibular second molars are the seventh teeth from the midline. They are the second
mandibular molars to erupt and because of the age of eruption, are often referred to as twelve
year molars. They contact the mandibular first molar on the mesial and the mandibular third molar
on the distal. They occlude with the maxillary first and second molars.
Nomenclature

Universal
Palmer
International

Right
31

Left
18

47

37

Development
Intitial calcification

2.5 - 3 years

Enamel completed

7 - 8 years

Eruption is between
Root completed

11 - 13 years
14 - 15 years

Average Dimensions (mm)

Overall Length
Crown Length

21.4 mm
7.8 mm
M 13.6 mm (mesial)
Root Length
D 13.0 mm (distal)
Crown Width
11.0 mm
Crown: Facial-Lingual 10.1 mm

16

Mandibular Third Molar

The mandibular third molars are the eighth teeth from the midline and the last teeth in the
mandibular arch in both position and sequence of eruption. Their only proximal contact is with the
second molar on the mesial. They occlude with the maxillary second and third molars. They are
often referred to as wisdom teeth and their time of eruption is unpredictable. They are more varied
in size and shape than all other teeth except the maxillary third molars.
Nomenclature

Universal
Palmer
International

Right
32

Left
17

48

38

Development
Intitial calcification

8 - 10 years

Enamel completed

12 - 16 years

Eruption is between
Root completed

17 - 21 years
18 - 25 years

Average Dimensions (mm)

Overall Length
Crown Length

18.6 mm
7.2 mm
11.4 mm (mesial)
Root Length
10.7 mm (distal)
Crown Width
10.7 mm
Crown: Facial-Lingual 9.9 mm