Human Teeth Model, Incisor

Quick Answer: The human teeth model, incisor, is an incisor tooth model: a replica of a single incisor, typically enlarged, used to teach the shape of the crown and root and, where sectioned, the internal layers. It supports dental, dental hygiene and biology lessons on tooth form, structure and root canal treatment.

The Incisor’s Shape and Structure

Incisors are the eight front teeth, four in each jaw, shaped for cutting food. Each has a thin, chisel-like crown with a straight incisal edge and a single conical root. From the front, the labial surface is smooth and slightly convex; from behind, the lingual surface is concave with a rounded bulge near the gum called the cingulum. Newly erupted incisors often show three small bumps on the edge, the mamelons, which wear away with use.

Inside, the layers are the same as in any tooth. Enamel covers the crown and cementum covers the root; beneath both lies dentine, and at the centre is the pulp, containing nerves and blood vessels, which runs from the pulp chamber in the crown down a single root canal to an opening at the root tip. Because an incisor usually has one straight canal, it is often the first tooth students study for endodontics.

The title does not say whether the incisor is upper or lower, central or lateral, sectioned or whole, or how many times it is enlarged. A single-tooth model is most useful alongside a full dentition model, so learners can place the tooth back in its arch.

Specifications

Care & Handling

• Keep the incisor tooth model in a padded box; the thin incisal edge chips if knocked against other models.
• If the tooth is sectioned, fit the halves together before storing so the cut faces stay clean.
• Wipe with a soft cloth only; abrasive cleaners dull the enamel colouring.

Applications

• Dental morphology classes on incisor crown and root form
• Introducing root canal anatomy and treatment with a single-canal tooth
• Biology lessons on tooth types and their functions
• Dental technology practice in recognising tooth outlines

Why Choose LabEquip

Dental colleges and hygiene schools buy single-tooth models to teach form one tooth at a time before moving on to full arches. LabEquip offers the incisor with the lower molar with one root for comparing tooth types, within its biology lab products; send enquiries through the contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many incisors do adults and children have?

Both have eight: four upper and four lower, made up of two central and two lateral incisors in each jaw. In children these are milk incisors, which are replaced by permanent ones from about six to eight years.

What is the cingulum?

It is the rounded bulge on the back of an incisor or canine crown, near the gum. It strengthens the tooth, and small pits beside it can trap plaque, so they are checked for decay.

What are mamelons?

They are three small rounded bumps on the incisal edge of a newly erupted incisor. They normally wear flat within a few years of chewing; if they persist in adults, it can indicate that the front teeth do not meet.

How do central and lateral incisors differ?

Upper central incisors are the widest front teeth, with a broad, almost rectangular crown, while upper laterals are smaller and more rounded. In the lower jaw the difference is slight, and the lower centrals are the smallest teeth in the mouth.

Why is an incisor used to teach root canal treatment?

It usually has one fairly straight root and one canal, so the steps of opening the pulp chamber, cleaning and shaping the canal and filling it are easier to follow than on a multi-rooted molar.

Why do incisors have only one root?

Incisors mainly cut rather than grind, so the forces on them are smaller and mostly along the tooth. A single long root anchors them well enough, while molars, which grind with more force, usually have two or three roots.

Last Updated: September 2026