Crest of Curvature (Contour)

Facial View

The crest of curvature (contour) is defined as the widest area of the crown of the tooth when viewed from the facial (or lingual) or proximal (mesial or distal). Each tooth has a distinct location for the crest of curvature and it is based on the crown divided into thirds.

The crest of curvature is synonymous with the contact area only when teeth are in perfect alignment. When teeth are not in perfect alignment, the contact area will not  correspond to the crest of curvature.

Maxillary Central Incisor

The mesial crest of curvature (contour) is located in the incisal third of the crown virtually at the mesioincisal corner. The distal crest of curvature (contour) is located at the junction of the middle and incisal third of the crown.

Maxillary Lateral Incisor

The mesial crest of curvature (contour) is located at the junction of the middle and incisal third of the crown. The distal crest of curvature (contour) is located in the middle third of the crown.

Proximal View

Maxillary Central Incisor

The labial and lingual crests of curvature for the permanent maxillary central incisor is located in the cervical third of the crown.

Maxillary Lateral Incisor

The labial and lingual crests of curvature for the permanent maxillary lateral incisor is also located in the cervical third of the crown. The locations of the labial and lingual crest of curvature (contour) are consistent with the triangular geometrical shape of the crown in this view.

Extent of Crest of Curvature

This is a horizontal measurement of how "bulbous" the tooth is. The maxillary anterior teeth have a labial and lingual extent of the crest of curvature of 0.5mm.