Teeth Types: Shapes, Sizes and Function

At Miami Dental, we do our best to answer all the questions you have about your teeth. Have you ever wondered why your teeth are different shapes and sizes? The reason is that they all serve different purposes in your mouth. Although the common goal is to chew your food and nourish your body, each type of tooth has its own function.

Read on to learn about the different types of teeth and the purpose they serve in your mouth!

• Incisors – located at the front of the mouth, these teeth have a sharp biting surface and are used for cutting or shearing food into small chewable pieces.


• Canines – located at the ‘corners’ of the dental arches, these teeth have a sharp pointed biting surface. Their function is to grip and tear food.


• Premolars – Unlike incisors and canines, these teeth have a flat biting surface. Their function is to tear and crush food.


• Molars – The molars are the largest teeth in the mouth and they too have a large flat biting surface. The function of these is perhaps the strongest of all as they chew, crush, and grind food.

 

If you have questions about your pearly whites, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.miami-dental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors, give us a call at our Miami Beach office: 305-532-1444 or our North Miami Beach office: 305-949-2630.