Maxillary Premolars

Question 1

What features do posterior teeth have?

Answer 1

• Cusps
• Ridges
• Fossae
• Grooves

Question 2

Where are marginal ridges located on posterior teeth like premolars?

Answer 2

Mesial and distal borders of the occlusal surface.

Question 3

What is a triangular ridge?

Answer 3

Ridge that extends from a cusp tip to the central groove of the tooth

Question 4

What forms a transverse ridge?

Answer 4

Ridge that forms when two triangular ridges meet from the buccal and lingual cusps

Question 5

What is a fossa, and what types exist?

Answer 5

A fossa is a small depression on a tooth’s surface, with central and triangular types on posterior teeth.

Question 6

What are the developmental grooves?

Answer 6

• Central grooves
• Marginal grooves
  -Triangular grooves

Question 7

What are supplemental grooves

Answer 7

Smaller grooves, more common further back in the mouth

Question 8

Why are pits and grooves on premolars at risk for caries?

Answer 8

The complexity of pits and grooves retains biofilm and has weaker enamel, increasing decay risk.

Question 9

What are the roles of premolars?

Answer 9

Premolars aid in mastication, support facial structure, assist canines in cutting food, and support cheeks.

Question 10

What does it mean that premolars are succedaneous?

Answer 10

They replace the primary first and second molars.

Question 11

How many cusps do most premolars have?

Answer 11

Most have two cusps: one buccal and one lingual, though some may have three (one buccal and two lingual).

Question 12

How many roots do premolars typically have?

Answer 12

Premolars can have one or two roots; if two, they are buccal and lingual, each with a pulp canal.

Question 13

How does the crown shape of premolars compare to anterior teeth?

Answer 13

Premolars have shorter crowns than anterior teeth but similar root lengths.

Question 14

How can maxillary first and second premolars be visually differentiated?

Answer 14

Maxillary first premolars are larger and have a prominent buccal ridge, while second premolars are more rounded.

Question 15

Describe the eruption and root completion ages for maxillary first premolars.

Answer 15

They erupt around 10-11 years and complete roots at 12-13 years

Question 16

What unique feature does the maxillary first premolar have on its crown?

Answer 16

It has a mesial crown depression that extends to the root.

Question 17

What groove is unique to the maxillary first premolar’s mesial surface?

Answer 17

The mesial marginal groove crosses the marginal ridge and extends cervically

Question 18

What shape is the occlusal surface of the maxillary first premolar?

Answer 18

It forms a hexagonal shape.

Question 19

How do the cusps of maxillary first premolars differ?

Answer 19

The buccal cusp is sharper and higher, while the lingual cusp is rounder and shorter.

Question 20

Describe the central groove on the maxillary first premolar.

Answer 20

It is a long, well-defined groove running buccolingually on the occlusal surface.

Question 21

What makes the root structure of maxillary premolars unique concerning the maxillary sinus?

Answer 21

The roots may penetrate the sinus due to their proximity, especially during trauma or extraction.

Question 22

At what ages do maxillary second premolars erupt and complete root formation?

Answer 22

They erupt at 10-12 years, with root completion by 12-14 years.

Question 23

What is a key structural difference between maxillary first and second premolars?

Answer 23

Maxillary second premolars usually have one root and more supplemental grooves than first premolars.

Question 24

Why might maxillary premolars require sealants?

Answer 24

Sealants protect deep grooves from caries in patients with no signs of decay.

Question 25

Which maxillary premolar is larger, the first or second?

Answer 25

1st

Question 26

What is the typical root structure of the maxillary first premolar?

Answer 26

Most maxillary first premolars have two roots (one buccal and one lingual).

Question 27

What is the typical root structure of the maxillary second premolar?

Answer 27

The maxillary second premolar usually has one root.

Question 28

What tooth has a longer mesial cusp ridge on the maxillary? 1st or 2nd?

Answer 28

1st

Question 29

Is the mesial or distal cusp ridge of the buccal cusp is longer for the 2nd premolar?

Answer 29

Distal

Question 30

Which premolar has a more prominent buccal ridge, the first or second?

Answer 30

The maxillary first premolar has a more prominent buccal ridge.

Question 31

Is there a mesial marginal groove on both maxillary first and second premolars?

Answer 31

No, 1st only

Question 32

How does the central groove differ between the first and second maxillary premolars?

Answer 32

Maxillary first premolar has a longer central groove, while the second premolar has a shorter central groove.

Question 33

Where are supplemental grooves more common, on the maxillary first or second premolar?

Answer 33

2nd

Question 34

How do the buccal and lingual cusps compare in height on the first and second maxillary premolars?

Answer 34

The buccal cusp of the first premolar is higher and sharper than the lingual cusp, while the cusps of the second premolar are closer in size.

Question 35

Which maxillary premolar is more likely to have proximal root concavities?

Answer 35

The maxillary first premolar is more likely to have proximal root concavities, especially on the mesial side.

Question 36

What is the shape of the occlusal surface of the first premolar compared to the second premolar?

Answer 36

The first premolar has a hexagonal occlusal shape, while the second premolar’s occlusal surface is more oval.

Question 37

How does the lingual cusp of the second maxillary premolar compare to the buccal cusp?

Answer 37

On the second premolar, the lingual cusp is almost as long as the buccal cusp.

Question 38

Which maxillary premolar has a more prominent buccal cusp tip?

Answer 38

1st

Question 39

How do the contact areas of maxillary first and second premolars compare?

Answer 39

Both have mesial and distal contact areas at the junction of the occlusal and middle thirds, with the distal contact slightly more cervical