Advanced Dental Admission Test (ADAT)

Which teeth are usually characterized by having a mesiodistal width greater than the faciolingual width?

1. Maxillary lateral incisors

2. Mandibular central incisors

3. Maxillary central incisors and mandibular molars

4. Maxillary canine

The correct answer is: Maxillary central incisors and mandibular molars

The teeth typically recognized for having a mesiodistal width greater than the faciolingual width are indeed the maxillary central incisors and the mandibular molars. This characteristic is important in dental anatomy and tooth morphology. Maxillary central incisors have a broad, flat surface that is wider from mesial to distal than it is from the facial to lingual surfaces, reflecting their function in cutting through food. Similarly, mandibular molars, particularly the first molars, exhibit a greater mesiodistal width compared to their faciolingual measurement. This design supports their role in grinding and crushing food. The other options do not fit this description. For instance, maxillary lateral incisors generally possess a more balanced width, while mandibular central incisors are narrower and exhibit a more equal distribution between mesiodistal and faciolingual dimensions. Maxillary canines have a prominent mesiodistal width but usually do not surpass their faciolingual width in the same manner as the selected teeth. Understanding these morphological features is crucial for identifying teeth and their respective functions within dental practice.