Dental Anatomy: Permanent canines

General characteristic features of the canines:

1.The canines are placed at the corners of the mouth, which help in keeping facial expression at the cosmetic value.
2.The canines are the longest teeth in the mouth.
3.They are the strongest teeth in the mouth.
4.They are the most stable teeth in the mouth because of the followings:
•They have larger labio-lingual dimension.
•They have long roots, which are more anchored in the alveolar bone.
•The crown shape allow for “self cleansing” so they stay for longer time.
5.The middle labial lobe is highly developed incisally into a strong well-formed cusp.

Principle identifying features of the permanent maxillary canine:

1.Single pointed cusp.
2.The distal slope of the cusp is longer than the mesial slope.
3.Marked convex labial outline and bulky palatal cingulum.
4.Very long single root.

Principle identifying features of the permanent mandibular canine:
1.The outlines of the crowns of mandibular and maxillarycanines from the incisal aspect are often similar.
2.the mandibular canine is narrower mesio-distally and labio-lingually than maxillary canine.
3.The lingual surface of the crown of the mandibular canine is shorter than that of the maxillary canine, with less developed cingulum and less prominent marginal ridges.
4.The cusp of the mandibular canine is not as well developed as that of the maxillary canine.