Tooth 23: The Most Important Tooth in Your Mouth?
Tooth 23 is one of the incisors, and it belongs to a family of lateral incisors. Like all incisors, the basic purpose of tooth number twenty-three is to shear food into smaller particles. Moreover, gripping food and supporting the shape of the face are also some of the functions of the incisors.
Tooth 23 Location
Tooth 23 is present in the lower left quadrant of the mouth. As incisors are the front teeth, tooth number twenty-three is present on the lower front part of the mouth between tooth 24, which is the central incisor in the lower left quadrant, and tooth 22, which is the canine in the lower left quadrant.
Is Tooth Number 23 Anterior?
Yes, tooth 23 is an anterior tooth because tooth numbers 6-11 are present in the top front part of the mouth. And tooth numbers 22-17 in the bottom of mouth, and they are anterior teeth. As anterior teeth contain central and lateral incisors and canines, And as tooth 23 is an incisor, we call it anterior tooth. Posterior teeth are actually back teeth that contain four sections.
There are tooth numbers 1-5 , 12-16 in the top of the mouth, and 17-22 , 28-32 in the bottom of the mouth.
Anatomy of Mandibular Lateral Incisor
The pair of mandibular teeth that are present away from the midline of the face are mandibular lateral incisors. They are also located besides both mandibular central incisors. These mandibular lateral incisors are present towards the midline of the face from the mandibular canines.
Lateral Canal in Tooth
By definition, from the main canal space, a lateral canal extends in a horizontal manner. A lateral canal is present on the middle or coronal third of the root and is a type of accessory canal.
Eruption Age of Mandibular Lateral Incisors
If we talk about the eruption age of mandibular lateral incisors, they erupt between the ages of six and eleven months. These mandibular lateral incisors shed between the ages of seven and eight. The central incisors come before lateral incisors.
Space Needed for Lateral Incisor Implant
The space is important between the implant and adjacent roots. This space is about 1 to 2 mm. If we talk about the cervical diameter of mandibular lateral incisors, it is the same as the implant. In some cases, for implant placement, the alveolar bone is insufficient. In such cases, ridge augmentation is necessary.
Normal Lateral Incisor Size
In general, the lateral incisors have a width of 6.69 mm and a height of 7.75 mm. And if we talk about central incisors, they have a mean width of 8.58 mm and height of 9.35 mm.
Access Preparation of Mandibular Lateral Incisor
From the palatal surface, the access preparation of mandibular lateral incisors began. Usually, in the apical third of the canal, a disto-palatal curve is present. Moreover, there is a root canal that is wide in proportion to the root. Yet, to avoid perforation, the canal must be engaged with great care.
Shape of Lateral Incisor Access and Sharpness of Tooth 23
In cases of access to the mandibular central and lateral incisors, they are triangular in shape. And in 40% of cases, a second canal is present. In general, under the cingulum, access to the anterior teeth towards the incisal edge is extended.
In general, the very first and most obvious thing someone notices about chipped teeth is their sharp and jagged edges. In the case of a broken tooth, its sharp edges can damage the tongue, gums, and cheeks of a person. Moreover, the broken tooth will also be more susceptible to decay and plaque.
Peg-Shaped Lateral Incisor
If we talk about peg lateral incisors, they describe a condition where the second tooth is small. And does not develop in a correct manner on either side of the upper front teeth, and it looks like a cone. Sometimes only the baby teeth or primary teeth are left in place. And the permanent adult teeth do not develop at all.
Unique Features of Mandibular Lateral Incisors
Morphologically, the mandibular lateral incisor is a variable tooth. The tooth frequently exhibits various shape changes and size reductions.. The mandibular lateral incisors can be of following shapes:
- canine-shaped
- cone-shaped
- barrel-shaped
- peg-shaped
Difference Between Mandibular and Maxillary Lateral Incisors
If we talk about incisal ridges of mandibular incisors from the proximal view, they are positioned lingually along the midroot axis of the line. Moreover, if we talk about incisal ridges of maxillary incisors. They are considered closer to the axis line.
Tooth 23 and 24
Tooth 23 is a lateral incisor, whereas tooth 24 is a central incisor. Tooth 24 is present in the lower quadrant, just as tooth 23 is present in the lower left quadrant. But as one is the central incisor and the other is the lateral incisor, there will be some differences. As in both permanent and deciduous dentitions, central incisors are larger than lateral incisors.
In general, after viewing from the buccal aspect The incisal edge of lateral incisors slopes towards the distal side. Where the incisal edge of central incisors is straight.
Decay of Incisor Teeth (23)
It is the most often asked question: what causes decay in front teeth? If we talk about tooth decay in adults, there are same reasons for cavities in front teeth as there are for cavities in the back teeth. In general, it leads to a combination of inadequate brushing and flossing. It also happens when you eat a diet high in sugar and acidic foods and drinks.
There may be some signs of tooth decay as well:
- Sensitivity to hot or cold
- White or brown spots
- Visible pit or hole in tooth
- pain/toothaches
Can the Decay on Tooth 23 be Fixed?
There are several ways to treat a hole or cavity in the front teeth, depending on the extent of the tooth decay. These ways include: Fluoride treatment, porcelain, composite, and metal fillings, as well as root canal procedures.
In cases of advanced tooth decay, the dentist can repair the tooth with a filling and recover the decay. If there is damage to the nerve present in the middle of the tooth, the dentist will prefer root canal treatment. In this way, the nerve can be removed, and then the dentist can repair the tooth with a filling or crown.