Detailed morphology of deciduous and permanent teeth is narrated in a pointwise and systematic manner which is easier to understand and recall. Apart from the images of typical teeth specimen, numerous clinical photographs are added to demonstrate common variations, anomalies and practical relevance of tooth morphology. Numerous tables, boxes and flow charts throughout the text make understanding and recalling easier. The morphology of each permanent tooth is summarized using flow charts that give the major anatomic landmarks of that tooth and a brief summary of the major features on all five aspects of that tooth.

Separate chapters are dedicated to tooth notation systems, chronology of tooth development, differences between primary and permanent dentitions, pulp morphology, temporomandibular joint and occlusion. Dental students are introduced to the fascinating aspects of dental anatomy such as forensic odontology, evolution of teeth, dental anthropology and comparative dental anatomy.

A separate chapter on tooth carving is included that explains the rationale, armamentarium, basic principles and step-by-step carving procedure. Carving technique for different types of teeth is made self-explanatory using life size high resolution images of actual wax blocks in different stages of carving. The ancillary DVD-ROMs contain visual demonstration of carving procedure for various teeth.

Numerous high quality photographs and professionally done graphic illustrations with informative legends make the text easy to grasp. Incorporation of numerous tables, flow charts and boxes throughout the textbook will give the reader a convenient summary of the key features and also make reviewing easier.

Multiple choice questions (MCQs) given at the end of each chapter in the textbook and the additional MCQs in ancillary DVD-ROMs aid the students in revision and preparation for viva voce and competitive examinations.

It is hoped that the concepts of dental anatomy, physiology and occlusion presented in a simple and logical style in the book will benefit all the undergraduate and postgraduate students of dental sciences and dental auxiliaries.

It is my pleasant privilege and honor to express my sincere gratitude and respect to all my revered teachers who have taught me during my undergraduate and postgraduate courses. In particular, I would like to thank Dr Rajiv S Desai, Professor and Head, Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Nair Dental College, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, my postgraduate guide, for being a constant source of inspiration in my pursuit towards academic excellence. I owe an immense debt of gratitude to my postgraduate teachers Dr Srinivas S Vanaki (Professor and Head) and Dr RS Puranik (Professor), Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, PM Nadagouda Memorial Dental College and Hospital (PMNMDCH), Bagalkot, Karnataka, India, for their constant encouragement and guidance in this endeavor and throughout my academic career.

I thank my dear friends Dr Praveena Tantradi, Reader, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Maratha Mandal Dental College, Belgaum, Karnataka, India and Dr Sapna N, Reader, Department of Periodontics, DA Pandu Memorial RV (DAPMRV) Dental College, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, for their invaluable suggestions and inputs. I thank Dr Sonali Kapoor, Professor and Head, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Manubhai Patel Dental College, Hospital and Oral Research Institute, Vadodara, Gujarat, India, for all the encouragement and support shown during compilation of the book.

I have much pleasure in acknowledging my undergraduate students for familiarizing me with ‘students’ point of view, and I extend my heartleft gratitude to the postgraduate students and colleagues of Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Manubhai Patel Dental College, Hospital and Oral Research Institute, Vadodara, Gujarat, India, for their assistance in compute skills and proofreading.

I thank my beloved husband Dr Basavaraj Subhashchandra Phulari for being there, whenever I needed him, helping me at every step of this project right from the text layout to final proofs and for his help in video shooting the carving procedures for ancillary DVD-ROM. I fondly acknowledge my little sons Yashas and Vrishank for their patience and love.

My heartfelt gratitude goes to Shri Jitendar P Vij (Group Chairman), Mr Ankit Vij (Managing Director), Mr Tarun Duneja (Director-Publishing) and Mr KK Raman (Production Manager) of M/s Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) Ltd, New Delhi, India, whose exceptional efforts made the production of this book possible. I thank the talented staff of M/s Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) Ltd, in particular Mr Sunil Kumar Dogra (Production Executive), Mr Gurnam Singh (Sr Proofreader), Mr Anil Sharma (Graphic Designer), Mr Manoj Pahuja (Graphic Designer-Head), Mr Pankaj Kumar Mandal (Typesetter) and Ms Kamlesh Rawat (Proofreader), for their untiring efforts in ensuring that every minute detail is taken care of.

Above all, I thank, the Almighty for all the kindness showered upon me…