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Canines

Canine teeth are also known as canines, cuspids, fangs and dog teeth. Each person has four canine teeth, two in the upper jaw and two in the lower jaw. The upper canines have the longest and strongest roots in the mouth. They are located in the corners of the mouth and their main function is grasping and tearing the food. The maxillary canines can be impacted very often during their eruption.

Anatomy:

People have exactly four canine teeth in their mouth. Two of them are located in the upper jaw and are maxillary canines. The other two are in the lower jaw and are mandibular canines. The canines are long teeth that end with one pointed tip. Different people have different looking dog teeth. The appearance can vary from person to person. In most cases, they are longer than the incisors, which don’t finish with a pointed tip. The first teeth located to the middle line are the incisors followed by canines. In other words, dog teeth are placed laterally next to each lateral incisor. When it comes to the appearance, these teeth are larger compared to the surrounding ones in the crown. The crown has a conical shape, and instead of an incisal edge, it finishes with a sharp tip. The lingual surface is hollowed, while the vestibular one is prominent. Mandibular canines are smaller compared to the maxillary.

Upper canines have the longest root in the whole mouth. Dog teeth have only one root in the majority of cases. The root canal number is also one, but in some cases, it can be two. Their roots form a slight protuberance in the vestibulum of the mouth, which is also very important for the mouth muscles. They are also important for the support of the muscles that keep the mouth in a youthful position. If the canines are missing, patients might appear as older and the corners of their mouth will start to move downwards. That is why missing teeth should be restored as soon as possible. Canines look very much like dog’s fangs so that is why they are commonly referred to as dog teeth.

Function:

Canine teeth are among the strongest teeth in the mouth. That is another reason why they are called dog teeth. They have the longest roots, that can withhold a lot of pressure. The main function of these teeth is to grasp and tear the food. Another very important function is their role of pronouncing letters and forming words. These teeth serve as guidelines for several movements of the jaw. There are two sets of canine teeth in the life. The first set is primary canines that are supposed to appear after the lateral incisors. The age might vary for different kids, but the first canine usually appears at around 15-16 months. By the second year, kids should have all the four canines. If the eruption is late, you should definitely visit a pediatric dentist. In most cases, there shouldn’t be a problem, but regular checkups are very important. The eruption of permanent dog teeth starts between the ages of eleven and twelve.