The canine (from Latin canina) is a type of tooth that is mainly used for shredding food.

Number and position. Located in the oral cavity and at the angle of the dental arch (1), the canines are part of the dentition. In humans, the dentition has four canines distributed as follows (2):

• two upper canines, located on either side of the upper incisors
• two lower canines, located on either side of the lower incisors.

Structure. Canines are sharp teeth with two sharp edges. Like all teeth, each canine constitutes a mineralized organ, innervated, irrigated and composed of three distinct parts (1):

• The crown, the visible part of the tooth, is made up of enamel, dentin and the pulp chamber. In the case of the canine, the crown is pointed with sharp edges.
• The neck is the point of union between the crown and the root.
• The root, an invisible part of the tooth, is anchored in the alveolar bone and covered by the gum. It is made up of cement, dentin and pulp canal. In the case of the canine, the root is long and single.

Teething. In humans, three dentitions follow one another. The canines appear twice, during the first and second dentition. During the first dentition, the four canines appear in children around 10 months, and form part of the temporary teeth or milk teeth. (2) Around the age of 6 years, the temporary teeth fall out and give way to the permanent teeth, which appear in the same number and around the age of 10 years for the canines. They correspond to the second dentition. (3)

Role in food. (4) Depending on their shape and position, each type of tooth has a specific role in chewing. With their sharp edges and pointed shape, canines are used to shred sturdier foods like meat.

Bacterial infections.

• Tooth decay. It refers to a bacterial infection that damages the enamel and can affect the dentin and pulp. The symptoms are dental pain as well as tooth decay. (5)
• Tooth abscess. It corresponds to an accumulation of pus due to a bacterial infection and is manifested by sharp pain.

Periodontal diseases.

• Gingivitis. It corresponds to an inflammation of the gum due to bacterial dental plaque. (5)
• Periodontitis. Periodontitis, also called periodontitis, is inflammation of the periodontium, which is the supporting tissue of the tooth. The symptoms are mainly characterized by gingivitis accompanied by loosening of the teeth. (5)

Dental trauma. The structure of the tooth can be altered following a shock. (6)

Dental abnormalities. Various dental anomalies exist whether in size, number or structure.

Oral treatment. Daily oral hygiene is necessary to limit the onset of dental disease. Descaling can also be carried out.

Drug treatments. Depending on the pathology diagnosed, certain medications may be prescribed such as painkillers and antibiotics.

Dental surgery. Depending on the pathology diagnosed and its evolution, a surgical intervention may be implemented with, for example, the fitting of a dental prosthesis.

Orthodontic treatment. This treatment consists of correcting malformations or bad dental positions. 

Dental examination. Carried out by the dentist, this examination makes it possible to identify anomalies, diseases or trauma in the teeth.

X-ray If a pathology is found, an additional examination is carried out by radiography of the dentition.

The upper canines are sometimes called the “teeth of the eye” because their very long roots extend up to the region of the eye. Therefore, infection in the upper canines can sometimes spread to the orbital region.