[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 lateral incisor

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# Lower right lateral incisor

The lower right lateral incisor (tooth 42) is the flat front tooth next to the central incisor; it helps cut food.

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## What it is

A front tooth beside the central incisor, a little larger, with a cutting edge and one root.

## What it does

Bites into and cuts food.

## Key points

- Slightly larger than the lower central incisor, the reverse of the upper arch, where the lateral is the smaller incisor
- Its cutting edge is slightly twisted toward the back to follow the curve of the arch toward the canine
- Often 2 canals in a root that is flat from side to side

## 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 42, lower right lateral incisor: 1 root; slightly wider than the lower central incisor; erupts at about 7–8 years; nerve: [inferior alveolar nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/inferior-alveolar-nerve/) (V3)

## Relations

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

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

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

**In front**
Lower lip and the [mentalis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/mentalis-muscle/)

## How to find it

Second from the lower midline on the right; with crowding it is often the tooth that sits rotated or tucked behind its neighbours.

## On imaging

Periapicals of the lower incisor area show its narrow root and early bone loss; tartar on the [tongue](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/tongue/) side can also show as a small radiopaque deposit near the neck.

## Common problems

- Sometimes small or missing from birth (more often the upper one).

## Clinical notes

- Incisive nerve, from the inferior alveolar nerve (V3); a mental (incisive) block at the [mental foramen](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/mental-foramen/) or infiltration numbs it
- Crowding of the lower incisors often shows first as this tooth twisting or slipping out of line

## Development

Replaces the primary lower right lateral incisor (FDI 82).

## Related conditions

- [Periodontitis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/periodontitis/)

## Test yourself

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

## Which is larger in the lower arch: the lateral or the central incisor?

The lower lateral incisor, such as the lower right lateral incisor, is slightly larger, the reverse of the upper arch.

## How does crowding of the lower incisors often show first?

As the lower right lateral incisor twisting or slipping out of line.

## Which nerve supplies the lower right lateral incisor?

The incisive nerve, from the inferior alveolar nerve (V3); a mental (incisive) block or infiltration numbs it.

## Why is bone loss seen early around the lower right lateral incisor?

The bone over its narrow roots is thin, and tartar from the nearby duct openings collects on its tongue side.

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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/).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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