One Year

Viewed from in front, all deciduous incisors are visible, the crown of the centrals and intermediates is fully exposed and the neck may be discernible. In profile, the upper and lower corner incisors are not in contact. The dental tables of the centrals show considerable wear. The dental star is seen usually in the centrals and intermediates as a dark or yellowish-brown transverse line in the dentin on the labial side of the infundibulum. The corner incisors are sharp.

Three Years

Viewed from in front, the four permanent central incisors are seen just coming into wear. They appear more solid, have salient vertical ridges and grooves and are larger and broader than adjacent deciduous teeth. In profile, the deciduous intermediates appear pushed out and short. The neck is distinct on the intermediates and corners. The dental table of each central incisor has a deep cup and the borders of these teeth are sharp. The lower intermediates are smooth. The lower corners have little central enamel.

Glossary of Terms

Cup. The dark or dark-brown to black cavity in the infundibulum.
Deciduous teeth. Temporary, fetal, milk or baby teeth. They are characterized primarily by their smaller size, constricted neck and shallow cup.
Dental star. The darker dentin that fills the pulp cavity as the tooth wears. It is dark yellow to yellowish-brown.
Dental table. The table, masticatory or occlusal surface.
Eruption. Pertains to the period when a tooth breaks through the gum.
Galvayne’s groove. The longitudinal depression on the labial surface of the upper corner (I3) incisor. The cementum remains in the groove as a dark line; the rest of the surface is worn to expose the white enamel.
Incisor teeth. Starting at the midline incisors are designated as centrals(I1), intermediates (I2) and corners (I3).
Infundibulum. The deep invagination of enamel which is filled with a variable amount of cement. Commonly referred to as the “cup.”
Labial surface. Surface toward the lips.
Lingual surface. Surface toward the tongue.
Permanent teeth. Second dentition or adult teeth.