Mesial View

The crown is triangular in shape or wedge-shaped like all of the anterior teeth from this view with the apex of the triangle at the incisal ridge and the base of the triangle at the cervix of the tooth. The C:R (crown:root) ratio is less compared to the maxillary central incisor (the root of the maxillary lateral incisor is longer in relation to the crown on the maxillary lateral incisor).

Facial Outline of Crown

The crest of curvature labially is located in the cervical third of the crown. The labial outline of the crown is convex especially in the cervical third. The crown is convex from the cervix to the incisal ridge. From the crest of curvature to the incisal ridge, the maxillary lateral incisor is more convex than the maxillary central incisor.

Lingual Outline of Crown

The cingulum is convex in the cervical third of the crown. From the cervix to the incisal ridge, the lingual crown surface is concave. The lingual surface again becomes convex approaching the incisal ridge.

Cervical line

The cervical line curves approximately 3.0mm towards the incisal ridge (vertical measurement of the curvature). This curvature is slightly less than that found on the mesial of the permanent maxillary central incisor (3.5mm).

Mesial Surface of the Crown

The crown is generally convex.

Incisal ridge

The incisal ridge is normally on a line bisecting the root.

Root

The root is conical in form in cross-section. The majority of the root taper occurs in the apical half of the root.