Ch. 16: Teeth

Question 1

What are the three main parts of a typical tooth?

Answer 1

Crown, Neck, Root.

Question 2

What covers the crown of a tooth and is the hardest tissue in the body?

Answer 2

Enamel.

Question 3

What are incisors and their function?

Answer 3

Front teeth with sharp cutting edges; they bite off or cut food for chewing.

Question 4

What are canines (cuspids) and their function?

Answer 4

Elongated, pointed teeth that pierce or tear food into smaller pieces.

Question 5

What are premolars (bicuspids) and their function?

Answer 5

Teeth located just behind canines with two cusps that saw through tough, fibrous food.

Question 6

What are molars (tricuspids) and their function?

Answer 6

Teeth behind premolars with three grinding or crushing cusps; essential for grinding food during chewing.

Question 7

How many deciduous (baby) teeth are there and when do they usually erupt?

Answer 7

20 teeth; first erupts around 6 months of age and full set by 30 months.

Question 8

How many permanent teeth are there and when do they usually erupt?

Answer 8

32 teeth including wisdom teeth; first erupts around age 6, full set generally complete between ages 17 and 24.

Question 9

What are wisdom teeth and are they always present?

Answer 9

Third molars that may not form in everyone; if missing, adults have only 28 teeth.

Question 10

Which populations most commonly have missing wisdom teeth?

Answer 10

Asians (30%), Caucasians and Native Americans (12%), rarely African Americans (1%-2%).