COA Dental Anatomy & Oral Development 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How many permanent teeth does a fully dentate adult typically have, including third molars (wisdom teeth)?
- 20
- 28
- 32 (Correct answer)
- 24
Correct answer: 32
A fully dentate adult has 32 permanent teeth: 8 incisors, 4 canines, 8 premolars, 8 molars (including 4 third molars).
Question 2: The permanent canine teeth are clinically referred to by which alternative name?
- Bicuspids
- Cuspids (Correct answer)
- Premolars
- Supernumeraries
Correct answer: Cuspids
Canine teeth are also called cuspids because they have a single prominent cusp, distinguishing them from multi-cusped premolars and molars.
Question 3: Which tooth structure is considered the hardest substance in the human body?
- Dentin
- Cementum
- Enamel (Correct answer)
- Cortical bone
Correct answer: Enamel
Enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, composed of approximately 96% hydroxyapatite crystals, making it more mineralized than bone, dentin, or cementum.
Question 4: The fibrous connective tissue that attaches the tooth root to the surrounding alveolar bone is called the:
- Gingival tissue
- Periodontal ligament (Correct answer)
- Cementum
- Lamina dura
Correct answer: Periodontal ligament
The periodontal ligament (PDL) is a specialized connective tissue that suspends the tooth in its socket by connecting cementum on the root to the alveolar bone.
Question 5: The labial surface of an anterior tooth refers to the surface that faces:
- The tongue
- The palate
- The lips (Correct answer)
- The adjacent tooth
Correct answer: The lips
The labial surface faces the lips; 'labial' derives from 'labium' (Latin for lip), and this term is used specifically for anterior (front) teeth.
Question 6: Which surface term is used to describe the chewing surface of posterior (back) teeth?
- Incisal
- Buccal
- Occlusal (Correct answer)
- Lingual
Correct answer: Occlusal
The occlusal surface refers to the chewing surface of premolars and molars; 'incisal' is used for the cutting edge of anterior teeth.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes the anatomical characteristics of a molar tooth?
- One root and a sharp incisal edge used for cutting
- Multiple cusps and broad occlusal surface used for grinding (Correct answer)
- Located in the anterior segment with a single cusp
- Two roots and a pointed cusp used for tearing food
Correct answer: Multiple cusps and broad occlusal surface used for grinding
Molars have multiple cusps (4–5) and a broad occlusal surface designed for grinding and crushing food, and they are located in the posterior segments of the arch.
COA Dental Anatomy & Oral Development 1
How many permanent teeth does a fully dentate adult typically have, including third molars (wisdom teeth)?