The maxillary lateral incisors sit just beside the central incisors in the upper jaw (Universal 7 on the right and 10 on the left, FDI 12 and 22). They are smaller and more rounded than the centrals, with an incisal edge, no cusps and a single root whose tip often curves backward. They erupt at about 8-9 years.
| Location | Upper dental arch, between the central incisor and the canine on each side |
|---|---|
| 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 |
|
| Lymphatic drainage |
|
Cut food alongside the central incisors and help shape the front of the smile and the sounds made with the lips and tongue.
After the third molars, upper lateral incisors are among the teeth most often missing from birth or small and peg-shaped, which can leave gaps that need orthodontic or restorative treatment. A deep pit near the cingulum can hide decay or a developmental fold (dens invaginatus) that lets bacteria reach the pulp early. An ectopic canine erupting beside it can wear away its root.
An undersized, cone-shaped lateral incisor, often inherited, that leaves spaces in the smile.
Congenital absence of one or both lateral incisors.
An infolding of enamel into the tooth that allows decay and pulp infection to develop early, often without visible damage.
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