Location and Function
- Maxillary canines are located laterally from both maxillary lateral incisors and mesial from both maxillary first premolars.
- Canines separate the premolars from the incisors.
- They complement both the premolars and incisors during mastication.
- Canines are primarily responsible for tearing food.
Eruption and Development
- Maxillary canines often erupt above the gum line.
- They begin to calcify by 4 months of age.
- Enamel formation is complete by 6 to 7 years of age.
- Permanent maxillary canines erupt at around 11 to 12 years of age.
- Root formation is complete by 13 to 15 years of age.
Anatomy and Characteristics
- Canines have a single cusp.
- They resemble prehensile teeth found in carnivorous animals.
- Maxillary canines are the longest teeth in total length.
- They are the only anterior teeth with a cusp.
- Maxillary canines have one root, usually the longest of any tooth.
Notation
- In the universal system of notation, deciduous maxillary canines are designated by uppercase letters (C and H).
- In international notation, deciduous maxillary canines are known as 53 and 63.
- Permanent maxillary canines in the universal system are referred to by numbers (6 and 11).
- In Palmer notation, the left and right canines have the same number (3), with symbols ┘ and └ designating the quadrant.
- In international notation, the right permanent maxillary canine is known as 13 and the left as 23.
References
- Ash, Major M. and Stanley J. Nelson, 2003. Wheeler's Dental Anatomy, Physiology, and Occlusion. 8th edition.
In human dentistry, the maxillary canine is the tooth located laterally (away from the midline of the face) from both maxillary lateral incisors of the mouth but mesial (toward the midline of the face) from both maxillary first premolars. Both the maxillary and mandibular canines are called the "cornerstone" of the mouth because they are all located three teeth away from the midline, and separate the premolars from the incisors. The location of the canines reflects their dual function as they complement both the premolars and incisors during mastication, commonly known as chewing. Nonetheless, the most common action of the canines is tearing of food. The canines often erupt in the upper gums several millimeters above the gum line. The canine teeth are able to withstand the tremendous lateral pressure caused by chewing. There is a single cusp on canines, and they resemble the prehensile teeth found in carnivorous animals such as the extinct saber-toothed cat. Though relatively the same, there are some minor differences between the deciduous (baby) maxillary canine and that of the permanent maxillary canine.
| Maxillary canine | |
|---|---|
 Maxillary canine | |
 Maxillary canines of permanent and primary teeth marked in red. | |
| Identifiers | |
| FMA | 290214 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
It is the longest tooth in total length (from the root to the incisal edge) in the mouth. Canines are also the only anterior teeth with a cusp.
Maxillary canines begin to calcify by 4 months of age. The enamel of the tooth is completely formed by around 6 to 7 years of age and the permanent maxillary canines erupt at around 11 to 12 years of age. The root is completely formed by 13 to 15 years of age. The maxillary canine teeth are slightly wider than the mandibular canine teeth. The maxillary canines have one root, usually the longest root of any tooth in the mouth.
