incisors

Bite-size food cutters

Incisors are the flat-edged front teeth used for cutting and biting.

Humans have eight—four upper and four lower—positioned at the front of the mouth.

The word shares a root with incision, both relating to cutting: The rabbit's incisors never stop growing.

appearance

smile

Pleased facial expression

grinBroad, toothy smile
cosmeticSurface-level appearance enhancer
gapUnfilled space between

diastema · buck teeth · overbite · alignment · protrusion · spacing · symmetry · visible · front teeth · prominent

anatomy

teeth

Enamel-covered chewing structures

enamelHard glossy coating
dentitionOral tooth arrangement
mandibleLower facial bone

maxilla · premolars · molars · canines · cuspids · bicuspids · gums · periodontal · crown · root

function

bite

Pierce with teeth

cuttingDividing via sharp edge
gnawBite repeatedly at
nibbleSmall, tentative bite

shear · slice · sever · tear · grip · pierce · cropping · scraping · tearing · severing

dental care

orthodontics

Dental specialty for alignment

bracesDental alignment devices
dentistOral care physician
hygienistOral care specialist

toothbrush · toothpaste · flossing · fluoride · cavities · plaque · tartar · retainer · veneers · bonding

characteristics

sharp

Fine-edged, or astute

edgeBoundary or sharpness
pointedTapering to a tip
flatLacking vertical variation

thin · spatulate · blade-like · ridged · worn · smooth

Categories

dentistrydentist, teeth, tooth, dentists, dental care
animal anatomyskull, teeth, ears, eyes, nose
animal partsappendage, forelimb, hind leg, hind legs, hindlegs
cat anatomywhiskers, claws, tail, paws, ears
mammal anatomyskeleton, skull, muscles, teeth, ears
mammal partsfur, hair, tail, ears, eyes

Opposites

tooth type and function

incisorsmolars

Rear crushing teeth

back teeth · grinding teeth · premolars · bicuspids · wisdom teeth

Family

Familiarity: Top 100,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G