Notation
- Universal system of notation designates deciduous maxillary lateral incisors with uppercase letters (D and G)
- International notation designates deciduous maxillary lateral incisors with numbers (52 and 62)
- Permanent maxillary lateral incisors in universal system are designated by numbers (7 and 10)
- Palmer notation uses numbers and symbols to designate quadrant and laterality of the tooth
- FDI notation has different numbering system for permanent maxillary lateral incisors (12 and 22)
Development
- Primary maxillary lateral incisor develops between 14-23 weeks in utero
- Permanent maxillary lateral incisor typically erupts around 8-9 years old
- Crown development of the tooth is completed by age 4-5
- Upper lateral incisor is made of 4 lobes of calcification
- Upper lateral incisors can have variations in shape and sometimes be missing
Deciduous dentition
- Two maxillary lateral incisors in deciduous dentition
- Distoincisal angle of deciduous maxillary lateral incisor is more curved than primary maxillary central incisor
- Primary lateral incisor is longer cervicoincisally than mesiodistally
- Average length of primary lateral incisor is 15.8 mm, with crown length of 5.6 mm and root length of 11.4 mm
- Primary lateral incisor crown is wider mesiodistally and has longer roots compared to permanent tooth
Permanent dentition
- Two maxillary lateral incisors in permanent dentition
- Development of permanent maxillary lateral incisors begins at 10-12 months after birth
- Permanent lateral incisor resembles central incisor but is smaller in every dimension except root length
- Root of permanent lateral incisor is around 1.5 times the length of the crown
- Permanent lateral incisors can have variations in crown shape and can be congenitally missing
Tooth aspects
- Labial aspect: Maxillary lateral incisor has rounded mesial and distal incisal angles, smooth surface, and fits into a trapezoid shape
- Lingual aspect: Prominent cingulum, concave lingual fossa, and fits into a trapezoid shape
- Mesial aspect: Cementoenamel junction sharply inclines towards incisal ridge, fits into a triangle shape
- Distal aspect: Distal cervical line is slightly more cervical, may have developmental groove, fits into a triangle shape
- References: Citations from various sources for further reading and study
The maxillary lateral incisors are a pair of upper (maxillary) teeth that are located laterally (away from the midline of the face) from both maxillary central incisors of the mouth and medially (toward the midline of the face) from both maxillary canines. As with all incisors, their function is for shearing or cutting food during mastication, commonly known as chewing. There are generally no cusps on the teeth, but the rare condition known as talon cusps are most prevalent on the maxillary lateral incisors. The surface area of the tooth used in eating is called an incisal ridge or incisal edge. Though relatively the same, there are some minor differences between the deciduous (baby) maxillary lateral incisor and that of the permanent maxillary lateral incisor. The maxillary lateral incisors occlude in opposition to the mandibular lateral incisors.
| Maxillary lateral incisor | |
|---|---|
 Maxillary lateral incisor | |
| Identifiers | |
| FMA | 290194 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
