The maxillary central incisors are the two large front teeth in the upper jaw, one on each side of the midline (Universal 8 on the right and 9 on the left, FDI 11 and 21). Each has a broad, shovel-like crown with a straight incisal edge, no cusps and a single conical root. They erupt at about 7-8 years and are the widest incisors in the mouth.
| Location | Front of the upper dental arch, on either side of the midline |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Anterior superior alveolar nerve (from the infraorbital nerve, maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve); Nasopalatine nerve (palatal gingiva); Superior labial branches of the infraorbital nerve (labial gingiva) |
| Blood Supply | Anterior superior alveolar artery (from the infraorbital artery) |
| Venous drainage |
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| Lymphatic drainage |
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Cut and bite into food, guide the lower jaw forward in biting, support the upper lip and help form sounds such as f, v and th.
As the most forward teeth they are the most often injured in falls and contact sport, particularly in children whose upper incisors stick out. A knocked-out permanent incisor should be replanted or stored in milk and seen by a dentist within the hour for the best chance of survival. An extra tooth between them (mesiodens) or a low lip frenum can keep the two teeth apart.
The tooth is knocked completely out of its socket; prompt replantation greatly improves the chance it survives.
A chip or break of the incisal edge, which may expose dentin or pulp and cause sensitivity or nerve death.
A supernumerary tooth in the midline between the central incisors that can delay their eruption or cause a gap.
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