Canine guidance is a term used in dentistry to describe the way a person's canine teeth guide the movement of the jaw. The word "canine" is spelled /ˈkeɪnaɪn/, with the stress on the first syllable. The "c" is pronounced like a "k," the "a" is pronounced like "ay," and the "e" at the end is silent. "Guidance" is spelled /ˈɡaɪdəns/, with the stress on the second syllable. The "g" is pronounced as a hard "g," the "u" is pronounced like "yoo," and the "a" is pronounced like "ay."
Canine guidance is a term used in dentistry to describe the natural arrangement and functioning of the teeth in the upper and lower jaws during the act of biting or chewing. It refers to the specific ways in which the teeth of the upper jaw (maxillary arch) and the lower jaw (mandibular arch) come into contact and interact while performing normal oral functions.
In full occlusion or proper alignment, the teeth in the maxillary arch are slightly angulated or inclined in such a way that the cusps (projections on the chewing surface of the teeth) make contact with the grooves or depressions on the opposing teeth in the mandibular arch. This alignment allows for efficient mastication, protecting the teeth from excessive wear and tear, and minimizing the pressures transmitted to the surrounding jawbone.
Canine guidance refers to the functioning of the canine teeth, which are the sharp, pointed teeth located on either side of the incisors. They are named canines because their shape and position resemble that of the canine teeth in dogs. When the jaws are brought together, the canines come into contact before any other teeth, thereby guiding the remaining teeth into their proper occlusion.
This arrangement of the canine teeth provides stability during chewing, protects the posterior teeth from excessive forces, and helps to prevent unwanted side-to-side movements of the jaw. Canine guidance is an essential part of a healthy occlusion and contributes to overall oral health and proper functioning of the jaws.
The etymology of the word "Canine" stems from the Latin word "caninus", meaning "of or belonging to a dog". It originated from the Proto-Indo-European root "kwon", which also gave rise to words like "hound" and "wolf".
The word "Guidance" comes from the Old French noun "guidance", derived from the verb "guider" meaning "to guide, lead". This can be traced back to the Frankish word "witan" or "giutan", meaning "to show the way" or "to lead".
Therefore, the term "Canine Guidance" combines these two elements: "Canine" pertains to dogs, specifically, while "Guidance" refers to the act of leading or showing the way.