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Introduction, Dental Formula of Man, Child and Animal

The dental formula describes teeth arrangement in animals and humans' jaws. dental formula shows how different types of teeth are positioned in the jaws.
authorImageSawat Sayyed28 Aug, 2023
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Dental Formula

Have you ever thought about the arrangement of our teeth? And How is it different from animals? To understand the whole concept of numbers and arrangements of teeth in humans and animals dental formula is used. The relationship of teeth within the jaws of animal teeth and human teeth is described by the dental formula. A set of hard, bony, mineral-rich enamel-coated structures commonly known as teeth are found in the jaws(mouth) which extends into the buccal cavity of most vertebrates and are used to grasp, bite, and chew food. Including temporary and permanent sets of teeth, humans have two sets of teeth during their lifespan. But few animals can replace their teeth, lost due to any disease or injury throughout their life

Introduction

Information about the number and size of teeth as well as the type of teeth is provided by the Dental formula. Teeth are one of the most important elements in our mouth. There are two sets of teeth in mammals; one is deciduous and the other one is permanent. Milk teeth ( baby teeth ) are also known as the Deciduous teeth. All humans beings consist of four different types of teeth which includes

  • Incisors.
  • Canines.
  • Premolars.
  • Molars.

All four of them are not present in the temporary set. All the teeth perform different functions like crushing, tearing, cutting, and shredding the food. A tooth consists of a crown, a root, and a cervical part which all together makes it perfect for various functions.

Dentition

The overall development of teeth and their arrangement in the mouth is described by a term generally known as Dentition. The development of teeth depends on the characteristics of teeth as their kind and arrangement of several teeth in a particular species. A normal adult has 32 teeth. Animals who have two sets of teeth are known as diphyodont, whereas animals with only one set of teeth throughout life are known as monophyodont.

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Dental Formula

The dental formula is a method of expressing or describing the total number of teeth in man and animals as per the arrangement. Using letters and figures Dental formulas are expressed. The letters used in this formula are based on the four types of teeth which include Incisors, Canines, Premolars, and Molars.

The Dental Formula is generally expressed as

The number of each type of tooth in the upper jaw divided by the number of teeth on one side of the lower jaw

Dental Formula = (2 incisors 1 canine 2 premolars 3 molars) / (2 incisors 1 canine 2 premolars 3 molars)

The Dental Formula In Human Beings

The Human Dental Formula is mainly Composed of two Parts:

Humans and Apes have similar teeth and dental formulas, among all of the mammals present on the earth.

  • The Number of Teeth Per Jaw

A human's upper and lower jaw may have between 18 and 28 teeth in total, but most people have 22 teeth. The numbers of teeth in mammals such as cats, dogs, and cows are very similar to a great extent.

  • The Number and Types of Teeth

In the upper and lower jaws, there are a total of 22 teeth. These teeth are separated into four types -two in the upper jaw and one in the lower jaw(canine teeth), four in the upper jaw and four in the lower jaw(incisors), six in the upper jaw and four in the lower jaw (premolars), and four in the upper jaw and four in the lower jaw(molars).

Humans have two dental formulae:

  • The primary dentition consisting 20 teeth:

I2/2 C1/1 M2/2 = 10

  • The permanent dentition which consists of 32 teeth

I2/2C1/1 P2/2 M 3/3 = 16.

Representation term (I – Incisors, C-Canine P-Premolars and M-Molar).

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Dental Formula In Animals

From juveniles to adults the dental formulae of various animals differ just like in the case of human beings.Some animals' dental formula is mentioned below:

The Dental Formula of Dog

Dogs fall under the omnivore category.

2 x (3 I.1C.4P. 2M / 3I.1C.4P.3M) = 42 teeth (6 incisors 2 canine 8 premolars and 4 molar) / (6 incisors 2 canine 8 premolars and 6 molar) = 42 teeth.

The Dental Formula of Cat

Cats do consume both plants and animals and have the following dental formula.

2 x (3 I.1 C .3P.1M / 3I.1C.2P.1M) = 30 teeth (6 incisors 2 canine 6 premolars and 2 molar) / (6 incisors 2 canine 4 premolars and 2 molar) = 30 teeth. = 30 teeth.

The Dental Formula of Cattle

Cattles are domesticated mammals and have a unique set of teeth with no canines and upper incisors and are categorized as cud-chewing animals.

2 x (0I.3P.3M /4I.3P.3M) = 32 teeth                     . (0 incisors 6 premolars and 6 molar) / (8 incisors 6 premolars and 6 molar) = 32 teeth.

(I – Incisors, C-Canine P-Premolars and M-Molar).

Dental Problems

Some of the dental problems that human beings generally suffer from are as follows:

  • Oral Cancer
  • Tooth Cavity
  • Tooth Erosion
  • Impacted teeth
  • Tooth issues dedicated to appearances
  • Teeth sensitivity
  • Cracked or chipped teeth

Also Check - Concept Of Species

Cause And Effects of Dental Problems

The causes are-

  • Dental plaque caused due to eating lots of sugar or sweets.
  • Improper brushing
  • Plaque Attacks

The effects are-

  • Eating disorders
  • Pain in jaw and teeth
  • Weight loss can also take place
  • Chewing problems
  • Cavity & broken tooth.

Dental Formula FAQs

What is parodontium?

Parodontium refers to the collection of cementum, desmodium, alveolar bone and gingival all together.

What is a child's dental formula?

The child’s dental formula can be written as follows: 2.1.2.0/2.1.2.0 2 incisors, 1 canine, 2 premolars, and 0 molars are represented above.

What is polyphyodont?

When teeth are continuously discarded and replaced throughout life the detention of animals is then known as polyphyodont

Explain the term Crown, Enamel, Root and Dentin.

The terms are explained below: The Crown is the top part of the tooth and its shape determines tooth functions Enamel refers to the tooth's outermost coating. The root is the bottom part of the tooth embedded in bone Dentin is the layer of the tooth, underneath the enamel part.
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