Maxillary Premolars Flashcards
What features do posterior teeth have?
- Cusps
- Ridges
- Fossae
- Grooves
Where are marginal ridges located on posterior teeth like premolars?
Mesial and distal borders of the occlusal surface.
What is a triangular ridge?
Ridge that extends from a cusp tip to the central groove of the tooth
What forms a transverse ridge?
Ridge that forms when two triangular ridges meet from the buccal and lingual cusps
What is a fossa, and what types exist?
A fossa is a small depression on a tooth’s surface, with central and triangular types on posterior teeth.
What are the developmental grooves?
- Central grooves
- Marginal grooves
-Triangular grooves
What are supplemental grooves
Smaller grooves, more common further back in the mouth
Why are pits and grooves on premolars at risk for caries?
The complexity of pits and grooves retains biofilm and has weaker enamel, increasing decay risk.
What are the roles of premolars?
Premolars aid in mastication, support facial structure, assist canines in cutting food, and support cheeks.
What does it mean that premolars are succedaneous?
They replace the primary first and second molars.
How many cusps do most premolars have?
Most have two cusps: one buccal and one lingual, though some may have three (one buccal and two lingual).
How many roots do premolars typically have?
Premolars can have one or two roots; if two, they are buccal and lingual, each with a pulp canal.
How does the crown shape of premolars compare to anterior teeth?
Premolars have shorter crowns than anterior teeth but similar root lengths.
How can maxillary first and second premolars be visually differentiated?
Maxillary first premolars are larger and have a prominent buccal ridge, while second premolars are more rounded.
Describe the eruption and root completion ages for maxillary first premolars.
They erupt around 10-11 years and complete roots at 12-13 years
What unique feature does the maxillary first premolar have on its crown?
It has a mesial crown depression that extends to the root.
What groove is unique to the maxillary first premolar’s mesial surface?
The mesial marginal groove crosses the marginal ridge and extends cervically
What shape is the occlusal surface of the maxillary first premolar?
It forms a hexagonal shape.
How do the cusps of maxillary first premolars differ?
The buccal cusp is sharper and higher, while the lingual cusp is rounder and shorter.
Describe the central groove on the maxillary first premolar.
It is a long, well-defined groove running buccolingually on the occlusal surface.
What makes the root structure of maxillary premolars unique concerning the maxillary sinus?
The roots may penetrate the sinus due to their proximity, especially during trauma or extraction.
At what ages do maxillary second premolars erupt and complete root formation?
They erupt at 10-12 years, with root completion by 12-14 years.
What is a key structural difference between maxillary first and second premolars?
Maxillary second premolars usually have one root and more supplemental grooves than first premolars.
Why might maxillary premolars require sealants?
Sealants protect deep grooves from caries in patients with no signs of decay.
Which maxillary premolar is larger, the first or second?
1st
What is the typical root structure of the maxillary first premolar?
Most maxillary first premolars have two roots (one buccal and one lingual).
What is the typical root structure of the maxillary second premolar?
The maxillary second premolar usually has one root.
What tooth has a longer mesial cusp ridge on the maxillary? 1st or 2nd?
1st
Is the mesial or distal cusp ridge of the buccal cusp is longer for the 2nd premolar?
Distal
Which premolar has a more prominent buccal ridge, the first or second?
The maxillary first premolar has a more prominent buccal ridge.
Is there a mesial marginal groove on both maxillary first and second premolars?
No, 1st only
How does the central groove differ between the first and second maxillary premolars?
Maxillary first premolar has a longer central groove, while the second premolar has a shorter central groove.
Where are supplemental grooves more common, on the maxillary first or second premolar?
2nd
How do the buccal and lingual cusps compare in height on the first and second maxillary premolars?
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.
Which maxillary premolar is more likely to have proximal root concavities?
The maxillary first premolar is more likely to have proximal root concavities, especially on the mesial side.
What is the shape of the occlusal surface of the first premolar compared to the second premolar?
The first premolar has a hexagonal occlusal shape, while the second premolar’s occlusal surface is more oval.
How does the lingual cusp of the second maxillary premolar compare to the buccal cusp?
On the second premolar, the lingual cusp is almost as long as the buccal cusp.
Which maxillary premolar has a more prominent buccal cusp tip?
1st
How do the contact areas of maxillary first and second premolars compare?
Both have mesial and distal contact areas at the junction of the occlusal and middle thirds, with the distal contact slightly more cervical
