Maxillary Molars

Question 1

What number teeth are the maxillary molars?

Answer 1

Right: #3,#2,#1 and Left: #14,#15, #16

Question 2

What functions do the maxillary molars perform

Answer 2

The maxillary molars are used for chewing, crushing, and grinding.

Question 3

Which is the largest of the three maxillary molars?

Answer 3

The first maxillary molar is the largest of the maxillary molar. #3 and #14.

Question 4

On the maxillary first molar is the facial or lingual mesiodistal length greater?

Answer 4

The maxillary first molar’s facial mesiodistal length is narrower than its lingual mesiodistal length

Question 5

What shape are the maxillary first molars?

Answer 5

The maxillary first molars have a rhomboid shape. They have a smaller mesiodistal length than buccolingual length.

Question 6

Where are the HOC on the maxillary first molars?

Answer 6

Facial:Cervical third Lingual:middle third

Question 7

What is the buccal HOC called on the maxillary first molar?

Answer 7

The buccal HOC on the maxillary first molar is the buccal cervical ridge or cervical ridge.

Question 8

The buccal surface is _______ than the lingual, which is more evenly ______.

Answer 8

flatter; convex

Question 9

List the four cusps largest to smallest of the maxillary first molar.

Answer 9

ML is largest followed by MB,DB,DL

Question 10

What is the name of the ridge that connects the ML and DB cusps of the maxillary first molars.

Answer 10

The oblique ridge or transverse ridge.

Question 11

What are the grooves of the maxillary first molar.

Answer 11

The maxillary first molar has a central,buccal, and distolingual grooves. Some debate is there is a transverse ridge on the oblique ridge; some say this is just a continuation of central groove.

Question 12

Where does the distolingual groove of the maxillary first molar extend to? What does this result in?

Answer 12

The distolingual groove extends beyond the lingual HOC and can continue onto the root forming a lingual root groove. Note this area can become decayed and need cavity prep. Also note the buccal groove does not extend past the buccal HOC.

Question 13

What are the pits of the maxillary first molar? What are these pits apexes for?

Answer 13

The maxillary first molar has central, distal, and mesial pits. Central is most evident(deep) and most subject to decay. These pits are the apexes of the similarly named mesial, central, and distal fossas.

Question 14

What does the maxillary first molar have that other maxillary molars don’t?

Answer 14

The maxillary first molar sometimes has a 5th cusp not present on other maxillary molars. If present will be on the ML cusp and is known as the Cusp of Carabelli.(if present will create a 5th cusp groove)

Question 15

How many roots are found on a maxillary first molar?

Answer 15

Maxillary first molars have 3 roots; MB, DB, and L(largest and longest). The roots are divergent and can spread out wider than the crown.

Question 16

What is found on the lingual root of the maxillary first molar?

Answer 16

A lingual root depression can be found on the lingual root of maxillary first molars. Remember this is formed by the distolingual groove extending beyond the HOC on the lingual side.

Question 17

What do the mesial and distal root depressions of the maxillary first molar lead to?

Answer 17

A High incidence of a 4th root canal on the MB root.

Question 18

How does the maxillary second molar compare to the maxillary first?

Answer 18

The maxillary second molar has smaller demensions and less sharp line angles than the maxillary first molar.

Question 19

Are the maxillary second molars longer mesiodistal or buccolingual?

Answer 19

Buccolingual length is greater than mesiodistal on maxillary molars.

Question 20

What cusps are less developed on maxillary second molars than the firsts?

Answer 20

The maxillary second molar has a less developed distal cusps than the maxillary first.

Question 21

What cusp is commonly missing on maxillary second molars?

Answer 21

Maxillary second molars commonly only have 3 cusps. The DL cusp is absent in 30% of cases.

Question 22

Does the maxillary second molar have a 5th cusp?

Answer 22

No the maxillary first molar is the only one with a 5th cusp(Cusp of Carabelli).

Question 23

What is the difference between the oblique ridge of the maxillary second and first molars?

Answer 23

The maxillary second molar has a less developed oblique/transverse ridge. Because of this the central groove is evident on the ridge.

Question 24

Compare the roots of the second maxillary molar to the first.

Answer 24

The maxillary second molar’s roots less divergent. Sometimes the buccal roots can be fused.

Question 25

What is different about the furcation of the maxillary second molars?

Answer 25

The maxillary second molars have a longer root trunk;this means the furcation of the roots is more apical. This makes them less susceptible to periodontal disease, but if infected gives them a worse prognosis.

Question 26

Does the lingual root of the maxillary second molar have a lingual root depression?

Answer 26

No the maxillary second molar’s lingual root does not have a lingual depression. Lingual root depression(lingual depression) is found on the root of the maxillary first molar and is formed by the central groove extending past the lingual HOC.

Question 27

Describe Maxillary third molars.

Answer 27

Maxillary third molars are smaller and less sharp than 1st or 2nd molars. There are many variations in their occlusal anatomy. Have a great number of accessory grooves. Often have a single large fused root. More heart shaped due to absence of or small distolingual cusp.

Question 28

Describe the distobuccal line angel of the maxillary first molar. What does the shape of it lead to.

Answer 28

The maxillary first molar has a concave and rounded distobuccal line angle. This may cause plaque retention.