Human Tooth Set

Quick Answer: A human tooth set is a group of separate human tooth models that lets students compare the tooth types side by side, typically incisor, canine, premolar and molar. It is used in dental morphology, dental hygiene and biology teaching to show how crown and root shape follow each tooth’s job.

Comparing the Tooth Types Side by Side

Single-tooth models teach one form in depth; a human tooth set teaches the differences. Laid out in a row, the teeth show the change from cutting to grinding. Incisors have a thin, straight edge for biting through food, canines a single pointed cusp and the longest root in the mouth for gripping and tearing, premolars usually two cusps for crushing, and molars broad biting surfaces with four or five cusps for grinding.

Root form changes along the arch too. Incisors and canines normally have one root, the upper first premolar often has two, and molars have two in the lower jaw and three in the upper. This pattern matters later in root canal treatment and extraction, where the number and shape of roots guide the technique, so dental students learn it early on models before they see radiographs.

The number of teeth in the set, whether they are enlarged, and whether any are sectioned to show enamel, dentine and pulp are not given in the title. Sets differ between makers, so the contents should be checked when ordering.

Specifications

Care & Handling

• Keep the models of the human tooth set in a divided box or tray so each one is easy to find after a practical.
• Count the models back in at the end of each class; single teeth are small enough to be pocketed or dropped.
• Wipe with a damp cloth and dry them, and do not soak models that have glued or sectioned parts.

Applications

• Dental morphology practicals on identifying tooth type from crown and root shape
• Biology lessons linking tooth shape to diet and to the human dental formula
• Dental technician training, as a reference when carving and waxing tooth forms
• Comparing human teeth with animal skulls in comparative anatomy

Why Choose LabEquip

Dental schools and hygiene programmes buy tooth sets for identification practicals in which students must name a tooth from its shape. LabEquip lists the set in its biology lab products alongside single-tooth models such as the incisor model; ask about the set contents through the contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which tooth has the longest root?

The upper canine usually has the longest root of any human tooth. This long root anchors it firmly, which is one reason canines are often among the last teeth to be lost and are useful supports for bridges and dentures.

How many cusps does a molar have?

Upper first molars usually have four main cusps, sometimes with a small extra one, and lower first molars usually have five. Second and third molars often have fewer cusps and are more variable in shape.

What is the difference between a premolar and a molar?

Premolars sit between the canines and molars and usually have two cusps and one or two roots. Molars are larger, with four or five cusps and two or three roots. Children’s primary teeth include molars but no premolars; the premolars later replace the primary molars.

Why do human teeth have different shapes?

Humans eat a mixed diet, so the dentition combines cutting, tearing and grinding teeth. Comparing the set with the skull of a herbivore or a carnivore shows how tooth shape follows diet, a common exercise in biology classes.

How do permanent teeth replace primary teeth?

Permanent teeth develop in the jaw beneath the primary teeth. As each one moves up, the root of the primary tooth above it is resorbed, the primary tooth loosens and falls out, and the new tooth erupts in its place. Permanent molars erupt behind the primary teeth and replace none of them.

How is a tooth set used in an identification practical?

Models are placed at numbered stations and students name each tooth, say whether it is upper or lower and justify the answer from the crown and root. Enlarged models make small differences, such as the number of cusps, easier to see than on natural teeth.

Last Updated: September 2026