What Is An Incisor Tooth?

An incisor tooth is the one which is located in the front of the face. It has a flat edge which is specified for cutting or biting. It is used for shearing and scraping food as well. It erupts in an infant around the age of five to eight months.

Plants eating animals (Herbivores) and animals who eat both plants and meat (Omnivores) have generally a large incisor tooth because it becomes useful in munching bits of foods based upon plant materials before the back teeth masticate the solid food. Meat eating animals (Carnivores) have a comparatively small incisor tooth because they mostly use their sharp canine teeth to cut off the bone and to tear up the meat.

What do incisors look like?

Central incisor tooth is the type of incisor tooth that exists in the form of pairs in both upper and lower jaws (Maxilla and Mandible). It is also titled as ‘maxillary central tooth’. It is the most prominent and noticeable tooth in the human oral cavity. They coincide with the central incisors of the mandible (lower moveable jaw) to perform the basic function of cutting food along with biting off the food.

Central incisor tooth of the mandible (lower moveable jaw) is the basic and smallest tooth of the human mouth. It is comparatively elongated, thin shaped in difference with its broader maxillary parts. A central incisor tooth has a flat edged, and bladed appearance that allows it to chop through the food components when food enters the mouth.

Lateral incisor tooth of the maxilla (upper fixed jaw) is found beside the pair of central incisor teeth, and has the same flat edged appearance but has a thin shape. Lateral incisor tooth of the mandible (lower moveable jaw) is a bit bigger as compared to the central incisor tooth of the mandible and somewhat slightly round.

What are incisors for?

The prime feature of an incisor tooth is to shear the food. It can cut the food too. The shape of an incisor tooth helps to understand its anatomy and key responsibilities. The incisors form the fundamental group of the most important group of teeth. An incisor tooth helps to shear and bite the food into tinier parts which subsequently assists in the grinding or mastication of food by the posterior premolars and molars.

Except humans, different other types of animals also possess the similar usage for their incisor teeth too. In rats, the incisor tooth keeps elongating, nourishing and growing across their whole life, so they need to shed it out by nibbling.

The incisor tooth of the upper jaw of an elephant is transformed into tusks which are elongated and arched. In a herbivore, the incisors are well developed because they don’t eat meat and completely feed upon plants. This is all about the functions of an incisor tooth.

What Can Happen To Your Incisors?

When your bite positioning is good and proper, the lower and the upper incisor tooth should coincide with each other. An improper occlusion or more precisely ‘a malocclusion’ is a major problem that may affect the incisor tooth. A bent, twisted or chipped incisor tooth can lead to a crossbite, an overbite or even an underbite making it difficult and nearly impossible for the tooth to perform its responsibilities easily.

If misalignment of the incisor tooth is very tricky and complex, then normal dental braces and invisalign braces may be able to fix the problem. Veneers can be used to treat the issue if there is minor misalignment in the anterior teeth.

The teeth of the anterior region of the oral cavity are very slim, delicate and elongated so it is most likely for them to get broken or chipped off. As an incisor tooth is the front most prominent tooth in the mouth, tooth stains (caused mostly by dental plaque or coffee) commonly become more perceptible.

Two most common problems that may affect the incisor tooth are:

– Stains On Teeth:

The appearance of teeth play a crucial role in determining the personality of a person. Use of certain types of foods, drugs/medicines, nicotine etc can lead to discoloration of tooth precisely an incisor tooth. You can overcome this problem by either undergoing a whitening treatment or by maintaining proper oral hygiene. Teeth bleaching is also a helpful application that can be done at home by using a special type of gel from a dental store. However, the usage of whitening toothpastes only remove the stain on the upper part of the teeth.

– Cavities:

Cavities are basically tiny holes in a tooth. They are formed when teeth are not brushed properly and plaque is formed. This provides the bacteria the best medium to flourish. The plaque on hardening destroys the upper hard surface of the tooth ‘Enamel’ utterly and as a result cavities are formed. Cavity on the front tooth needs to be treated immediately otherwise it can lead to a lot of dental health issues.

– Tooth With a Hairline Fracture:

For instance, you were playing cricket without any protective oral appliance/mouth guard and a ball suddenly hit you on the face causing your front incisor tooth to crack up. Sounds horrible, right? Now a simple question arises whether the dentist would be able to save your cracked tooth or not? Well, it may vary. It is easier if the crack is not severe enough. However, if the crack is serious and the tooth has now become sensitive to hot and cold beverages or food, it is hard to cure it. If a crack is much deeper, then the tooth needs to be pulled off. Composite filling might also help repair the damage in not-so-severe cases.

– Chipped Tooth:

Chipping of the tooth can also affect the incisor teeth in many ways, especially the front incisor tooth. It is still ranked as the number#1 dental injury. The orthodontist may suggest you to get a crown if the chipped area of the tooth is too large or resin material can also be used to fix the issue. However, if the chip is serious enough to damage the pulp of the tooth.

Visiting the dentistry like ivanov orthodontics after every three months and maintaining proper dental hygiene can preclude many oral issues from affecting the incisor tooth.

Conclusion

Incisor teeth are some of the most vital teeth in your mouth, playing a key role in cutting, biting, and shaping food for easier chewing. Because they are positioned at the front, they are also the most visible and significantly influence your smile and appearance. However, due to their delicate structure and constant exposure, they are prone to issues such as stains, cavities, cracks, or chips. 

Maintaining proper oral hygiene, protecting your teeth during activities, and scheduling regular dental checkups can help keep your incisors strong and healthy. If you face problems such as misalignment, fractures, or discoloration, modern treatments like braces, veneers, teeth whitening, and crowns can restore both the function and aesthetics of your incisors.

FAQs About Incisor Teeth