Incisors, Canines, Premolars and Molars of Human: Comparison and differences

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Features	Incisors	Canines	Premolars	Molars
Number	8	4	8	12
Location	Central incisors are side by side at the midline.  There is a lateral incisor on each side of the central incisors	Next to the lateral incisors, establishes the cornering of the arches	First premolars are next to the canines followed by the second premolars	First molars are next to the second premolars, second molars next to the first molars and third molars next to the second molars.  The third molars are the farthest teeth in the mouth
Shape and structure	Single rooted, crowns are arched and angle toward one sharp incisal edge	Anchored with the longest root, one pointed cusp	Maxillary first premolars have a bifurcated root, all others have one root, one prominent cusp with one or two lesser lingual cusps	Bifurcated or trifurcated roots, broad chewing surfaces with four to five cusps
Function	For cutting or incising food	For holding, grasping, and tearing food.	For holding and crushing food	Grinding food