Anterior teeth are the teeth located at the front of your mouth. The word anterior simply means “toward the front,” so anterior teeth are exactly what the name suggests, the ones you see when someone smiles.
In total, there are 12 anterior teeth in a full adult mouth, six on the top and six on the bottom. They are made up of three types of teeth
Central incisors are the two teeth right in the very center of your smile, both on top and bottom. These are usually the most visible teeth when you speak or smile.
Lateral incisors sit right next to the central incisors on each side. They are slightly smaller and help support the shape of your smile.
Canines, also called cuspids or eye teeth, are the slightly pointed teeth at the corners of your mouth. They are the strongest of the anterior teeth and play a big role in guiding your bite.
Anterior teeth do a lot more than just look good. They are responsible for biting into food, helping you pronounce words correctly, and giving your lips and face their natural shape and support. When anterior teeth are missing, shifted, or damaged, it can affect how you eat, how you speak, and how confident you feel showing your smile.
As a Dental Hygienist of over 20 years I have observed that people really value their anterior teeth as it’s what shows in their smile.