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Maxillary right canine

A long, single-cusped tooth at the corner of the arch. The maxillary canine usually has the longest root in the dentition.

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FDI

13

Universal

6

Palmer

UR3

Roots

One long root

Root canals

Usually one canal

Eruption

About 11–12 years

Form and anatomy

This is usually the longest tooth in the mouth. The crown has a single pointed cusp; its mesial cusp ridge is shorter than the distal cusp ridge, so the cusp tip lies slightly mesial to the centre and the labial outline looks pentagonal. A vertical labial ridge runs from the cusp tip toward the cervical line, and on the lingual side a lingual ridge divides the surface into shallow mesial and distal fossae above a large cingulum. The root is thick labiolingually and very long, often about one and a half times the crown length, and the bony ridge it raises over the maxilla (the canine eminence) supports the corner of the mouth. Because it erupts late and has a long path to travel, the developing canine is monitored in children when it cannot be felt in the buccal sulcus.

Function

Grasping and tearing food; guides the jaw in lateral movements (canine guidance); supports the corner of the lip.

Clinical relevance

Its long root anchors it well; it is a common site of impaction, usually palatally.

Canal counts in a study

Teeth examined: 188. Adults from a radiology practice in Toulouse, France; left and right teeth combined. CBCT, 200 µm voxels Canal count observed on CBCT; small canals may go undetected.

These are sample frequencies, not universal probabilities. Population, sampling and method affect the results. Root count and canal configuration are different measurements. The 3D model shows one configuration; it does not change with these percentages.

Monsarrat et al. (2016), Table 2

Neighbouring teeth

Mesial neighbour

Maxillary right lateral incisor

Distal neighbour

Maxillary right first premolar

Same tooth, other side

Maxillary left canine

Opposing tooth

Mandibular right canine

This text is a draft and has not yet been reviewed by a dental professional. Educational reference only, not for diagnosis or treatment.