Types of Teeth

We believe in improving patient education at Dr. Jia Y. Lee’s Rancho Cucamonga dental office, which is why we’re using this week’s blog post to provide information about different kinds of teeth. Understanding their function helps to understand different procedures associated with them.

Normally, each jaw grows sixteen adult teeth. The incisors are the four flat teeth at the front of each. They shear food and are the most important teeth for speaking with. The upper (maxillary) ones are also the most likely to have a gap. On each side of the incisors are the cuspids, which are also called canines and eye teeth. They pierce food and the maxillary ones sometimes are prevented from erupting completely. In teenagers, this is a common reason for orthodontic treatment.

The premolars and molars are the teeth used for chewing and grinding. The thick ligaments supporting them give them the stability they need to withstand bite pressure, but their enamel can be worn down by nighttime tooth grinding. Molars in the lower jaw typically have two roots, while the upper ones may have three. There are two sets of premolars and three sets of molars. The backmost molars are called wisdom teeth, and they are often too large to fit when they start erupting.

Dr. Jia Y. Lee operates at 9477 Haven Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga, California, 91730. To schedule an appointment, call 909-989-5598 or visit My Rancho Cucamonga Dentist.