Height of curvature in the tooth

Tooth

Teeth are small, calcified, whitish structures found in the jaws of many vertebrates that are used to break down food. Some animals, particularly carnivores, also use teeth for hunting or for defensive purposes. The roots of teeth are embedded in the Mandible bone or the Maxillary bone and are...

 can be defined as the line encircling a tooth at its greatest bulge to a selected path of insertion.

Locations of height of curvature

For the outer surfaces of all teeth, the height of curvature is located in the cervical third of the teeth. In the inner surfaces of anterior teeth

Anterior teeth

In dentistry, the term anterior teeth can refer to:*Incisors in upper or lower jaw*Canines in upper or lower jaw...

, both upper & lower teeth, the height of curvature is also located in the cervical third of the tooth. In the posterior teeth

Posterior teeth

In dentistry, the term posterior teeth can refer to:*Premolars in upper or lower jaw*Molars in upper or lower jaw...

, both in upper and lower jaw, the height of contour is found at the middle third of the inner surface of the tooth. The lower second premolar

Premolar

The premolar teeth or bicuspids are transitional teeth located between the canine and molar teeth. In humans, there are two premolars per quadrant, making eight premolars total in the mouth. They have at least two cusps. Premolars can be considered as a 'transitional tooth' during chewing, or...

 proposes an exception as its height of curvature in inner surface is located in the occlusal

Occlusion (dentistry)

Occlusion, in a dental context, means simply the contact between teeth. More technically, it is the relationship between the maxillary and mandibular teeth when they approach each other, as occurs during chewing or at rest....

 third of the inner surface.

Functions

The height of contours have great functions to oral cavity

Mouth

The mouth is the first portion of the alimentary canal that receives food andsaliva. The oral mucosa is the mucous membrane epithelium lining the inside of the mouth....

1. They allow the food to be deflected allowing proper degree of massage to the gingiva
   Gingiva
   The gingiva , or gums, consists of the mucosal tissue that lies over the mandible and maxilla inside the mouth.-General description:...
   
   .
2. They prevent the food of being accumlated at the tooth.
3. Holding the gingiva under definite tension.

Mal-developed height of curvature

In case of under-developed curvature, gingival recession may result. In case of over-developed curvature, food will accumlate and there will be no massage to the gingiva and chronic inflammation may result.