what is dental formula
Answers
Answer:
The method of expressing or describing the total number of teeth in man and animals according to the arrangement is termed as the Dental Formula. This formula is expressed using letters and figures. The letters used in this formula are based on the 4 types of teeth like– Incisor, Canine, Premolar, and Molar.
The Dental Formula is expressed as:
(The number of each type of teeth in the upper jaw) / (The number of teeth on one side of the lower jaw)
Dental Formula = (2 incisors 1 canine 2 premolar 3 molar) / (2 incisors 1 canine 2 premolar 3 molar)
Humans have two dental formulae:
• The primary dentition (20 teeth):
I2/2 C1/1 M2/2 = 10
• The permanent dentition (32 teeth):
I2/2C1/1 P2/2 M 3/3 = 16.
Where: I – Incisors, C-Canine and M-Molar
Among all other mammals, both humans and apes have similar sets of teeth and dental formulae.