[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Head and neck](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/head-and-neck/) › Lower right canine

[Digestive system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/digestive-system/) · [Head and neck](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/head-and-neck/)

# Lower right canine

The lower right canine (tooth 43) is the pointed tooth at the corner of the mouth; it grips and tears food.

[See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=head_neck&select=teeth_43&side=r)

Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed.

## What it is

The corner tooth: one pointed cusp and a long root, a little shorter than the upper canine's.

## What it does

Grips and tears food, and guides the jaw when it slides sideways.

## Key points

- The front tooth most likely to have 2 roots (labial and lingual); otherwise its root is long, though shorter than the upper canine's
- Its long root and strong bone make it one of the last teeth to be lost, so it is often kept to support a partial denture
- Lower canines erupt at about 9–10 years, roughly two years before the upper ones

## Key facts

**Joints with**
Alveolar socket of the [mandible](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/mandible/) (gomphosis held by the periodontal ligament); bites against the opposing teeth

**Landmarks**
FDI 43, lower right canine: 1 root; single pointed cusp; root shorter than the upper canine's; erupts at about 9–10 years; nerve: [inferior alveolar nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/inferior-alveolar-nerve/) (V3)

## Relations

**Medial**
The [lower right lateral incisor](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lower-right-lateral-incisor/)

**Lateral**
The [lower right first premolar](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lower-right-first-premolar/)

**Above**
Meets the [upper right lateral incisor](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/upper-right-lateral-incisor/) and the [upper right canine](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/upper-right-canine/)

**In front**
Corner of the lower lip

## How to find it

The pointed tooth at the right corner of the lower arch, third from the midline; it is the tooth the upper canine slides over when the jaw moves to the right.

## On imaging

Periapical films show its long root and, with an angled beam, a split into labial and lingual roots when present; they also show how much bone remains before it is used to support a denture.

## Clinical notes

- Supplied by the incisive nerve (inferior alveolar nerve, V3); a mental (incisive) block or infiltration numbs it, and so does an inferior alveolar nerve block
- Guides the jaw in sideways movements together with the upper canine, sparing the back teeth from side loads
- After orthodontic treatment a thin retainer wire is often bonded behind the lower front teeth from canine to canine to keep them aligned

## Anatomical variants

- Rarely, an impacted lower canine travels across the midline under the incisors (transmigration), which is reported almost only for lower canines

## Development

Replaces the primary lower right canine (FDI 83); in the lower arch the canine erupts before the premolars, the reverse of the upper arch.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Why is the lower right canine often kept to support a partial denture?

Its long root and strong bone make it one of the last teeth to be lost.

## What is canine guidance?

In sideways jaw movements the upper canine slides along the lower canine, such as the lower right canine, sparing the back teeth from side loads.

## How does the eruption order of the lower right canine differ from the upper canine?

The lower canine erupts before the premolars; the upper canine erupts after them.

## When does the lower right canine usually erupt compared with the upper canine?

At about 9–10 years, around two years earlier than the upper canine.

[Add to my cards (4)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/lower-right-canine/)

Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.

## Related

- [Mandible](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/mandible/)

Sources: [Anatomy, Head and Neck, Teeth](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557543/); [Anatomy, Permanent Dentition](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK570590/); [Anatomy, Head and Neck, Tooth Eruption](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549878/); [Anatomy, Head and Neck: Alveolar Nerve](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546712/); [23.3 The Mouth, Pharynx, and Esophagus](https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology-2e/pages/23-3-the-mouth-pharynx-and-esophagus) (OpenStax (Rice University), 2022) · adapted, [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake

Representative model, for educational purposes only.

---
Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lower-right-canine/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lower-right-canine/