Anatomical Landmarks of the Crown

Crown Elevations
Lobes One of the primary centres of calcification and growth formed during the crown development. Each tooth begins to develop from 4 lobes or more. The pulp chamber has pulp horns corresponding to these lobes).

Types of Lobes Mamelones o They three small round projections of enamel present in the incisal 1/3 of newly erupted incisors o o Ideal age to see = 6-7 years Mamelones eventually wears down into a flat edge

Cingulum(cingula) o Enlargement or bulge on the cervical 1/3 of lingual surface of the crown in anterior teeth.

Cusps o Pyramidal projections on the incisal portion of the canine and occlusal surfaces of the posterior teeth(premolars and molars)

Tubercles Small elevation due to excessive formation of enamel Tubercle of carabelli found on the palatal surface of Upper E and 6 and sometimes lingual surfaces of incisors over the cingulum Tubercles are not cusps as it is formed of enamel only while cusp is formed of pulp horn covered by dentin and enamel therefore tubercles are not primary centres of calcification

Ridges It is a linear elevation on different surfaces of the crown

Facial surfaces o Labial ridge o found on the labial surface of canines result of the overdevelopment of the middle labial lobe

Buccal ridge Found on the buccal surfaces of premolars Result of the overdevelopment of the middle buccal lobe

Cervical ridge Found on the cervical 1/3 of the facial surfaces of all teeth

Lingual surfaces o o o o Incisal ridges found on the incisal 1/3 of lingual surfaces of all incisors Cusp ridges found on the incisal 1/3 of lingual surfaces of canines and premolars Lingual ridges found on middle 1/3 of lingual surface of upper and lower canines. Marginal ridges found on the mesial and distal margins on the lingual surfaces of all anterior teeth

Occlusal surfaces o Marginal ridges o Found on the occlusal surfaces of all posterior teeth mesial and distal to the triangular fossae

Triangular ridges Found on the occlusal surfaces of all posterior teeth forming cusps.

Transverse Ridge Formed from the extension of the triangular ridges of the buccal and lingual cusp

Oblique ridge Formed from the extension of the triangular ridges obliquely. Usually found on maxillary molars, connecting between ML and DB cusps.

Crown Depressions

Linear Depressions Developmental Grooves linear depression denoting complete union/fusion of primary lobes Supplemental grooves small irregularly placed auxiliary grooves that branches from developmental grooves. They do not represent the complete union/fusion of the lobes. They are found on the occlusal surfaces of 7s, 8s and lower 5s Fissures found on the bottom of developmental grooves result from incomplete union of the primary lobes. It is a fault in enamel. These can not be seen but can feel it. Sulcus broad depression or valley on the occlusal surfaces of posterior teeth

Circumscribed Depressions Fossa small depression or concavity found on both anterior and posterior teeth o o Lingual Fossa found on the lingual surfaces of anterior teeth Mesial and Distal Triangular Fossa found on the occlusal surfaces of posterior teeth, mesial and distal to the marginal ridges o Central Fossa found on the occlusal surfaces of molars. They are formed by the converging of ridges, terminating at a central point where there is the junction of grooves Pits o True small pinpoint depression present at the bottom of a fossa o Central pit found at the bottom of a central fossa Mesial and distal pits found at the bottom of the mesial and distal triangular pits

Faulty usually found at the end of the developmental groove and its the result of incomplete formation of enamel Buccal Pit located at the end of the buccal developmental grooves or lower molars

Socket the bony space in the alveolar bone containing the roots of erupted tooth Crypt bony space in the alveolar bone containing the developing unerupted tooth