The canines They are a set of four teeth in the human denture, either in the upper or lower dental arch, whose main function due to their anatomical characteristics is to tear food for subsequent swallowing. Etymologically they are also called tusks.
This is so given its similarity to teeth of other mammals, such as wild boars, tigers, elephants, etc. The importance of knowing the anatomy, relationships, constitution and function of these anatomical parts is that they are involved in actions as basic as feeding through the chewing process..
Another of the functions goes more towards the aesthetic field, since they are also related to the symmetry of the face; on these, as on the other teeth, rest the upper or lower lips.
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The upper canines are located medially in relation to the first premolars, and distally or laterally to the lateral incisors..
According to the international dental nomenclature, teeth are named by numbers depending on their location and the type of tooth. Based on this, the canines have the following numbers:
- 13: right upper canine.
- 23: upper left canine.
- 33: lower right canine.
- 43: lower left canine.
The so-called fangs, like all other teeth, present in their constitution three different outer layers and an inner layer:
It is the strongest and most mineralized tissue in the human body, its coloration generally varies between gray and white, it is acellular and constitutes the most superficial part of the dental crown..
It is a layer located immediately below the enamel and is less hard than it. It is made up of 65% inorganic materials, 10% water and 25% organic materials.
It is located in the innermost part of the tooth, formed through a specialized bone tissue that allows the tooth root to adhere optimally and adequately to the underlying alveolar bone.
It is the inner part of the tooth inside the dentin. Inside are odontoblasts. Through holes called apical orifices, dental vessels (veins and arteries) and dental lymphatics enter the interior of the tooth in the dental pulp..
The canine is the longest tooth in the entire human teeth. It has 3 main characteristics that differentiate it from other teeth:
- Presence of a single conical cusp.
- Its roots are unique and wide in the palatine vestibule sense.
- Has a palatal surface that is comparable to the occlusal surfaces of posterior teeth.
It has a trapezoidal shape, the base of which has an incisal direction. It is composed of 4 faces: a distal, a mesial, a palatal and a labial.
Like all other teeth, it is made up of 3 external structures called the crown, neck, and root. In addition, it has 4 edges, which will be detailed below:
Lower edge that is in relation to the free edge of the canine by which food is torn.
It is attached to the incisal edge in a well circumscribed angular limit. This border is closer to the medial line.
It is curved in its entirety, with a concavity towards the mesial border.
It is the edge that is furthest from the midline.
Among the functions of the upper canines are the following:
- Tear the food to be swallowed more easily at the time of feeding. They serve as support for the entire dental arch in the formation of the food bolus.
- Give support to facial symmetry, as these are a vitally important support point for the lips; therefore, the absence of any of these could cause facial asymmetries with important aesthetic repercussions.
The upper canine differs from the lower canine by the following anatomical landmarks:
- The upper canines are wider than the lower ones.
- The cervical mamelon (protrusion on the palatal aspect of the canines) is less prominent in the lower canines than in the upper ones.
Depending on the state of the individual, the upper canines may be subject to deterioration or pathologies. The most common are mentioned below:
It is a multifactorial entity whose etiology is attributed to the progressive and continuous demineralization of dental enamel as a result of the acid secretions of oral bacterial plaque..
It is frequently associated with poor hygienic habits, immunosuppression, and excessive ingestion of sweets, among other reasons..
This clinical entity is not typical of the teeth but of the surrounding tissues; However, it is important because, if not treated, in its natural course it is capable of affecting the teeth, infecting them and causing severe pain (toothache) due to inflammation..
If this disease is left without care, it could even lead to necrosis and subsequent loss of permanent teeth..
The treatment of the previously mentioned pathologies usually includes the use of antibiotics, especially in case of periodontal abscesses. Among the most used drugs are amoxicillin with clavulanic acid and anti-inflammatory drugs.
In the case of caries, the practical intervention of a dental specialist is required for its treatment, sealing and subsequent reconstruction of the tooth, depending on its affectation..
For the prevention of pathologies and for good dental health, hygiene is recommended that includes brushing the teeth periodically, reducing the intake of dental damaging agents and strengthening them while maintaining adequate blood calcium levels..
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