Maxillary and Mandibular Molars Flashcards
How many cusps to maxillary first molars typically have?
FIVE, but that is only when the smaller Cusp of Carabelli is present
How many cusps do the maxillary second molars have?
FOUR, but once in awhile you may see one with only three.
How many fossae do the maxillary first molars typically have, and what are they called?
FOUR
Mesial Triangular Fossa
Central Fossa
Distal Fossa
Distal Triangular Fossa
How many grooves do the maxillary first molars have and what are they called?
SIX
Central Groove
Buccal Groove
Transvers Groove of the Oblique Ridge
Distal Oblique Groove
Lingual Groove
Fifth Cusp Groove
If the second maxillary molar only has three cusps, how many grooves will it typically have?
TWO
Central Groove
Buccal Groove
Where are the canals typically found in both the 3 canal and 4 canal first maxillary molar?
From the occlusal view, they are found in the mesial half of the tooth
What is the largest dimension of maxillary molar crowns from the occlusal view?
The buccolingual dimension
Which direction do all molar crowns (maxillary and mandibular) taper from the occlusal view?
Distally
What is the arch trait of the occlusal shape of the maxillary first molars?
Parallelograms (two obtuse and two acute angles)
Do mandibular molars have oblique ridges?
NO, only maxillary molars have oblique ridges
Where is the cusp of Carabelli on maxillary first molars?
On the lingual side of the mesial-lingual cusp
In general, how long are maxillary roots compared to the crown height?
Nearly TWICE as long!
Is the first or second maxillary molar larger?
The FIRST molar is larger, especially M-D
Where are the proximal contacts (same for all molars)?
Mesial - at the junction of the occlusal and middle thirds
Distal - middle third
Where is the trifurcation on maxillary molars?
Between the cervical and middle thirds of the roots
Which molar has roots that look the most like the handles of a pair of pliers?
The first maxillary molars
What is the order of root length (largest to smallest) for maxillary first molars?
Palatal (.75 mm longer than MB)
Mesialbuccal (.75 mm longer than DB)
Distalbuccal
What is the largest cusp on the maxillary first molars?
Usually the ML cusp is the largest and highest
If a patient only has three cusps on their second maxillary molars, which cusp is missing?
The DL cusp
On both first and second maxillary molars, is the distal or mesial crown more narrow buccolingually?
DISTAL
Is the marginal ridge groove more common on the mesial or distal part of the tooth?
MESIAL
Where are tubercules usually found on maxillary molars if present?
The mesial marginal ridge of FIRST MOLARS
Is the mesial or distal cervical line more curved?
MESIAL has more curvature
Where is the mesial contact area on maxillary molars?
At the juncion of the occlusal and middle thirds of the crown
Where is the distal proximal contact on maxillary molars?
The middle third of the crown
What root is the longest and often banana-shaped in maxillary molars?
The lingual root
Which direction from the occlusal view is longer on a mandibular molar?
MD
Which tooth has the largest MD dimension of any tooth?
The first mandibular molar
How many cusps do first mandibular molars have, and which is the largest?
FIVE
The largest is the ML cusp
What is the smallest cusp on the first mandibular molar?
Distal cusp
Which cusps are the tallest CLINICALLY in the first mandibular molars?
The buccal cusps even though the lingual cusps are higher when the tooth is oriented vertically due to lingual tilt
How many cusps are present on lower second molars?
FOUR
What shape are the proximal contact for lower molars?
Ovoid (oval like)
Do mandibular first molars always have a fifth cusp?
No, it is absent 1/5 of the time
Which, if either, mandibular molar roots are longer?
Neither, they are approximately the same length
What distinguishes roots of second lower molars from first lower molars?
More apically tapered
More pointed
Which direction do both lower first and second molars taper?
Lingually
What is the buccal bulge?
It is a well-defined buccal cervical ridge found on molars
What could be indicitive of two canals being present on the mesial root of mandibular molars (first and second)?
A deep mesial surface depression indicating likelihood of B and L root canals
What is the widest portion of a lower molar?
Mesiodistal dimesion is wider than faciolingual (opposite for maxillary molars)
What shape is the occlusal surface of the second mandibular molar most like?
Rectangle
What shape is the occlusal surface of the first mandibular molar most like?
Pentagon
How many fossae do mandibular molars possess?
THREE
Mesial fossa
Central fossa
Distal fossa
What shape do the grooves in the lower second molar resemble?
CROSS
