Description: The incisors are the front teeth of the mouth. Adult humans usually have
eight, four in the mandible and four in the maxilla of the jaw. The
incisors are the first teeth to erupt and are the smaller, simplest teeth.
Description: The canines are long pointed teeth used to tear food. Adult humans have
four canine teeth and they can appear more flattened as an individual ages.
In other animals these teeth are fangs.
Description: Molars are the rear most teeth in the mouth and have four cusps. They are
used to grind food and are named for the latin word mola - millstone. Adult
humans have sets of three molars at either side of the maxilla and mandible
for a total of 12. The first two molars are often referred to as premolars.
The third molars are called the wisdom teeth and may not erupt or even form
in some adults.
Description: Supernumerary teeth are rare additional teeth that may form in an adult
mouth. These include fourth or fifth molars. The condition is referred to
as hyperdontia as the eruption of these teeth would result in more than 32,
the normal total, in the mouth.
