Molars Flashcards
Difference between upper and lower molars
Upper has three roots and lower has two roots
What do the roots of the upper molars look like, describe the size and location
Upper molars have three roots, 2 Buccal roots and 1 lingual root
The two Buccal roots are smaller than the lingual root. The lingual/palatal root is very big
What is furcation
Furcation is the area between the roots
What do the roots of the lower molars looks like, describe size and location
Two roots in lower molars, one distal and one mesial. The mesial root is bigger
What’s the difference between fossae and grooves?
Fossae are the small pits, so like the holes at certain points.
Grooves are the lines (fissure), usually stretching from one end to another
Even if the groove is deep, it is still called a deep groove
What is the difference in shape of the maxillary first molar and second molar?
Upper first molar is diamond shape and the upper second molar is more of a triangular shape
How many cusps are there on a maxillary first molar
4.
Which is the biggest cusp in a maxillary first molar
Mesiolingual or mesiopalatal cusp
How to identify a maxillary first molar
- Look at the roots, 3 roots then upper.
- 2 roots is the Buccal side
- Look at the cusp size, the mesiopalatal cusp is bigger than the distopalatal cusp
Which tooth has an oblique ridge and where is it located
Maxillary first and second molar, extends diagonally from mesiopalatal to distobuccal
Oblique ride is an arch trait on most maxillary molars
What is the name of the bulge on the upper first molars
Cusp/ tubercle of carabelli. Remember that it is ONLY present in upper 6s
Where is the cusp of carabelli located
It’s located on the biggest cusp of the upper 6s, ie the mesiopalatal cusp
Does everyone have a cusp of carabelli
No. Only present in about 40% of people.
What is the function of the cusp of carabelli
No function in mastication, usually prone to caries
Which tooth is widest in the upper arch
6s
Do all maxillary 7s have 4 cusps?
No. Some second molars have only three cusps .
Match the tooth with the correct geometric shapes for its occlusal outline.
Rectangle, parallelogram ,triangle/heart shaped, pentagon
Rectangle mandibular 7
Parallelogram maxillary 6
Triangle/ heart shaped maxillary 7
Pentagon mandibular 6
Which fossae is the largest in maxillary molars.
Central fossa and pit
How many fossa are there in a maxillary molars
Majority have 4 (distal triangular fossa, central fossa, mesial fossa, distal fossa)
For upper 7s that do not have a distolingual cusp, the distal fossa is missing
Do review questions in the notes on molars
The tooth with the largest mesiodistal dimension of ANY tooth
Mandibular first molar
Highest and longest cusp of the mandibular first molar
Mesiolingual
How to know if it’s a mandibular second molar
- Two roots so lower jaw
- Shape of the tooth is rectangular
- The lingual cusps are higher than the Buccal cusps
- Mesiobuccal cusps are wider
There is a Buccal cervical ridge on the mesiobuccal cusp
Which cusp is the largest on a mandibular second molar
Mesiobuccal
Which grooves radiate out from The Central fossa in a mandibular second molar?
Central, lingual, Buccal
Which tooth has a transverse oblique ridge
Mandibular first molar
Which tooth may have a Buccal pit
Lower first molar