Human
Canine teeth considered to be the cornerstone of the dental arch; are the only
teeth in dentition to have a single cusp. They are anchored as prehensile
teeth in the group from which they get their name, Carnivora; and are labeled
by two separate terms dependent on their location in the mouth. Maxillary
Canines are the two canine teeth located in the maxilla distal or the upper
left and right quadrant of the mouth while Mandibular Canines are situated in
the lower left and right quadrant of the mouth. Used to pierce and tear food,
human canines are the longest and most stable teeth in the human mouth and are
anchored by single roots much longer than the roots of any other teeth.
While
canines are present in the mouths of every mammal they are notably smaller in
modern humans enabling the ability of a side to side chewing motion. In many
other mammal species the canines protrude well beyond the level of the other
teeth and often interlock, preventing side to side chewing motion. For years
fossil evidence has raised the question of whether or not human canines can
link the evolution of man back to a prehominid ancestor with large canine
teeth. In 1871, Charles Darwin had this to say:
