Detailed Description of Each Primary Tooth

MAXILLARY CENTRAL INCISOR

Labial Aspect In the crown of the primary central
incisor, the mesiodistal diameter is greater than
the cervicoincisal length (Figures 3-10 and 3-11,
A). (The opposite is true of permanent central
incisors.) The labial surface is very smooth, and
the incisal edge is nearly straight. Developmental
lines are usually not seen. The root is cone-
shaped with even, tapered sides. The root length
is greater in comparison with the crown length
than that of the permanent central incisor. It is
advisable when studying permanent teeth to make
direct comparisons

between the table of measurements of the primary

teeth (Table 3-1) and that of permanent teeth  
 Lingual Aspect
The lingual aspect of the crown shows well-
developed marginal ridges and a highly developed
cingulum (Figure 3-12, A). The cingulum extends
up toward the incisal ridge far enough to make a
partial division of the concavity on the lingual
surface below the incisal edge, practically dividing
it into a mesial and distal fossa. The root narrows
lingually and presents a ridge for its full length in
comparison with a flatter surface labially. A cross
section through the root where it joins the crown
shows an outline that is somewhat triangular in
shape, with the labial surface making one side of
the triangle and mesial and distal surfaces making
up the other two sides.
Mesial and Distal Aspects
The mesial and distal aspects of the primary
maxillary central incisors are similar (Figure 3-13,
A; see also Figure 3-10). The measurement of the
crown at the cervical third shows the crown from
this aspect to be wide in relation to its total length.
The average measurement is only about 1 mm
lessthan the entire crown length cervicoincisally.
Because of the short crown and its labiolingual
measurement, the crown appears thick at the
middle third and even down toward the incisal
third. The curvature of the cervical line, which
represents the cementoenamel junction (CEJ), is
distinct, curving toward the incisal ridge. However,
the curvature is not as great as that found on its
permanent successor. The cervical curvature
distally is less than the curvature mesially, a
design that compares favorably with the
permanent central incisor.
Although the root appears more blunt from this
aspect than it did from the labial and lingual
aspects, it is still of an even taper and the shape of
a long cone. However, it is blunt at the apex.
Usually the mesial surface of the root will have a
developmental groove or concavity, whereas
distally, the surface is generally convex.
Note the development of the cervical ridges of
enamel at the cervical third of the crown labially
and lingually.

Incisal Aspect
An important feature to note from the incisal
aspect is the measurement mesiodistally
compared with the measurement labiolingually
(Figure 3-14, A; see also Figure 3-10, 3). The
incisal edge is centered over the main bulk of the
crown and is relatively straight. Looking down on
the incisal edge, the labial surface is much broader
and also smoother than the lingual surface. The
lingual surface tapers toward the cingulum. The
mesial and the distal surfaces of this tooth are
relatively broad. The mesial and distal surfaces
toward the incisal ridge or at the incisal third are
generous enough to make good contact areas with
the adjoining teeth, although this facility is used for
a short period only because of rapid changes that
take place in the jaws of children.