CANINES: ANATOMY, PARTS, FUNCTIONS, PATHOLOGIES - ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY - 2024

The dogs are a set of four teeth in human teeth, either on the upper dental arch or lower, whose main function is their anatomical characteristics tearing food for subsequent swallowing. Etymologically they are also called tusks.

This is so given its similarity to teeth of other mammals, such as wild boars, tigers, elephants, etc. The importance of knowing the anatomy, relationships, constitution and function of these anatomical parts is that they are involved in actions as basic as feeding through the chewing process.

Lower canines «canine». Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:3D_Medical_Animation_Still_Showing_Types_of_Teeth.jpg. Author: scientificarimations.com/

Another of the functions goes more towards the aesthetic field, since they are also related to the symmetry of the face; on these, as on the other teeth, rest the upper or lower lips.

Distribution of upper and lower canines

Upper canines

The upper canines are located medially in relation to the first premolars, and distally or laterally to the lateral incisors.

According to the international dental nomenclature, teeth are named by numbers depending on their location and the type of tooth. Based on this, canines have the following numbers:

- 13: upper right canine.

- 23: upper left canine.

- 33: lower right canine.

- 43: lower left canine.

Constitution

The so-called fangs, like all other teeth, present in their constitution three different outer layers and an inner layer:

Tooth enamel

It is the strongest and most mineralized tissue in the human body, its coloration generally varies between gray and white, it is acellular and constitutes the most superficial part of the dental crown.

Dentine

It is a layer located immediately below the enamel and is less hard than it. It is composed of 65% inorganic materials, 10% of water and 25% of organic materials.

Cement

It is located in the innermost part of the tooth, formed through a specialized bone tissue that allows the tooth root to adhere optimally and adequately to the underlying alveolar bone.

Dental pulp

It is the inner part of the tooth inside the dentin. Inside are the odontoblasts. Through holes called apical orifices, dental vessels (veins and arteries) and dental lymphatics enter the interior of the tooth in the dental pulp.

Anatomy and parts

The canine is the longest tooth in the entire human teeth. It has 3 main characteristics that differentiate it from other teeth:

- Presence of a single conical cusp.

- Its roots are unique and wide in the palatine vestibule sense.

- It has a palatal surface that is comparable to the occlusal surfaces of posterior teeth.

It has a trapezoidal shape, the base of which has an incisal direction. It is made up of 4 faces: a distal, a mesial, a palatal and a labial one.

Like all other teeth, it is made up of 3 external structures called the crown, neck and root. In addition, it has 4 edges, which will be detailed below:

Incisal edge

Lower edge that is in relation to the free edge of the canine by which food is torn.

Mesial border

It is attached to the incisal edge in a well circumscribed angular limit. This border is closer to the medial line.

Cervical border

It is curved in its entirety, with a concavity towards the mesial border.

Distal edge

It is the edge that is furthest from the midline.

Features

Among the functions of the upper canines are the following:

- Tear the food to be able to be swallowed more easily at the time of feeding. They serve as support for the entire dental arch in the formation of the food bolus.

- Give support to facial symmetry, since these are a vitally important support point for the lips; therefore, the absence of any of these could cause facial asymmetries with important aesthetic repercussions.

Differences between upper and lower canines

The upper canine differs from the lower canine by the following anatomical landmarks:

- The upper canines are wider than the lower ones.

- The cervical mamelon (protrusion on the palatal aspect of the canines) is less prominent in the lower canines than in the upper ones.

Pathologies

Depending on the condition of the individual, the upper canines may be subject to deterioration or pathologies. The most common are mentioned below:

Cavities

It is a multifactorial entity whose etiology is attributed to the progressive and continuous demineralization of dental enamel as a result of the acid secretions of oral bacterial plaque.

It is frequently associated with poor hygiene habits, immunosuppression states, excessive ingestion of sweets, among other reasons.

Periodontal abscesses

This clinical entity is not typical of the teeth but of the surrounding tissues; However, it is important because, if not treated, in its natural course it is capable of affecting the teeth, infecting them and causing severe pain (toothache) due to inflammation.

If this disease is neglected, it could even lead to necrosis and subsequent loss of permanent teeth.

Treatment and recommendations

The treatment of the previously mentioned pathologies usually includes the use of antibiotics, especially in the case of periodontal abscesses. Among the most commonly used drugs are amoxicillin with clavulanic acid and anti-inflammatory drugs.

In the case of caries, the practical intervention of a dental specialist is required for its treatment, sealing and subsequent reconstruction of the tooth, depending on its affectation.

For the prevention of pathologies and for good dental health, hygiene is recommended that includes brushing the teeth periodically, reducing the intake of harmful dental agents and strengthening them while maintaining adequate levels of blood calcium.

References

1. General characteristics of the teeth. General dental anatomy. Recovered from: uap.edu.pe
2. Permanent Canines. Faculty of Dentistry. Central University of Venezuela. Recovered from: saber.ucv.ve
3. Heuman DM, Mills AS, McGuire HH. (1997) Gastroenterology. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Co
4. Drake RL, Vogl A., Mitchell, AWM GRAY. Anatomy for students + Student Consult. 2011. Elsevier. Madrid. Liñares S.
5. Netter Frank. Head and neck anatomy for dentists.