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Maxillary left lateral incisor

A smaller incisor beside the central incisor, with a more rounded incisal outline and the greatest variation in form of the anterior teeth.

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FDI

22

Universal

10

Palmer

UL2

Roots

Usually one root

Root canals

Usually one canal

Eruption

About 8–9 years

Form and anatomy

The crown resembles a smaller central incisor: narrower, shorter and more rounded at both incisal angles, especially the distal one, which gives the incisal edge a curved outline. The lingual fossa is deeper and the marginal ridges and cingulum are more pronounced, and a lingual pit often lies where the fossa meets the cingulum. In some teeth a palatogingival (palatoradicular) groove runs from the cingulum down onto the root. The root is long in relation to the crown, slightly flattened mesiodistally, and often curves distally in its apical third. Of all permanent teeth, the maxillary lateral incisor varies most in form, from a full-sized incisor to a small peg-shaped crown, and it is also one of the teeth most often missing congenitally.

Function

Cutting food; contributes to the smile and to anterior guidance.

Clinical relevance

Common site of developmental variation, including peg-shaped laterals and congenital absence.

Canal counts in a study

Teeth examined: 191. 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 left central incisor

Distal neighbour

Maxillary left canine

Same tooth, other side

Maxillary right lateral incisor

Opposing tooth

Mandibular left lateral incisor

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