Incisivsegmentet

Incisivsegmentet, commonly referred to as the incisive segment, is a term used in dentistry and orthodontics to denote the anterior portion of a dental arch that contains the incisors. The exact composition can vary by context; in many texts it describes the region in front of the posterior teeth used for evaluating aesthetics, incisal guidance, and alignment. In some segmentation schemes the canines may be included, extending the segment from one canine to the other, while in others the segment is defined strictly as the central and lateral incisors.

Composition and boundaries: The incisive segment in the maxilla and mandible is typically described as the area containing the incisors. Depending on the methodological approach, the segment may be defined to include only the central and lateral incisors, or to include the adjacent canines as part of the anterior block. This segmentation is used to analyze and plan movements within the anterior region of each arch, often treating the upper and lower incisive segments separately.

Clinical relevance: The incisive segment is central to aesthetic and functional considerations in dentistry. It influences incisal display at rest and during smiling, incisal guidance during mandibular excursions, and the overall anterior alignment of the dentition. In orthodontics, segmental mechanics may target the incisive block to achieve controlled tooth movement while preserving posterior anchorage or facilitating space management in the front of the mouth.

Assessment and terminology: Clinically, the incisive segment is assessed on dental casts, intraoral photographs, and radiographs, with attention to crowding or spacing in the anterior region, incisor angulation, overbite, and midline alignment. The term is used across Swedish and international dental literature, sometimes with slight variations in exact boundaries depending on the analytic framework.

See also: incisor, dental arch, orthodontics, anterior segment, dental segmentation.