Normal and abnormal conditions affecting the dentition and the periodontal structures receive sparse coverage in the plastic surgery literature, textbooks, and training programs. Nevertheless, a working knowledge of this subject matter is important in certain areas of clinical practice, and a fundamental understanding is often part of plastic surgery competency tested for in the In-service and written board examinations. This four-part series is written to provide plastic surgeons with a working knowledge of relevant dental topics. Part 1 covers fundamental aspects of normal dental embryology, growth and anatomy.