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General Functions of Molars
- Mastication: Chewing and grinding
- Esthetics: Maintain vertical dimension of the face
- Provide cheek support
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General Features of Permanent Molars
- Largest and strongest teeth
- 3 to 5 cusps
- 2 cusps are on the buccal
- 2 or 3 roots
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Non-Succedaneous Teeth
- Permanent molars erupt distal to the primary dentition.
- 1st molars are first permanent teeth to erupt “6 year molars”
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Maxillary Molars
- Crowns wider B-L than M-D
- Usually 4 cusps
- 2 lingual cusps of different size
- Oblique ridge!!
- 3 roots
- Supporting cusps: lingual
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Oblique Ridge
- Defining feature of all maxillary molars
- Extends diagonally across the occlusal surface:
- triangular ridge of DB cusp to distal cusp ridge of the ML cusp
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Other Occlusal Features of Maxillary Molars
- Is there a transverse ridge?
- How many marginal ridges are present? Where?
- Identify the major supporting cusp.
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Maxillary 1st Molar (3, 14)
- 4 major cusps: ML>MB>DB>DL
- Cusp of Carabelli on ML cusp
- DL cusp is largest of the max molars
- 3 tripoded roots: Pal>MB>DB
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Maxillary 2nd Molar (2, 15)
- Smaller than 1st
- DL cusp is smaller than on 1st
- No Cusp of Carabelli
- Roots are closer together
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Maxillary 3rd Molar Cusps
- Maxillary 3rd molars have 3 or 4 cusps.
- 3 cusp form has heart-shaped occlusal table
- Cusp size: ML>MB>DB>DL (if present)
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Maxillary 3rd Molar (1, 16)
- 3 or 4 cusps
- Heart shaped occlusal table
- DL cusp very small or absent
- Roots fused or very close together
- Maxillary 3rd molars have 3 or 4 cusps.
- 3 cusp form has heart-shaped occlusal table
- Cusp size: ML>MB>DB>DL (if present)
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Mandibular Molars
- Crowns wider M-D than B-L
- 4 or 5 cusps
- 2 roots
- No oblique ridge
- Lingual inclination of buccal surface
- Supporting cusps = buccal
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Mandibular 1st Molar (19, 30)
- 5 cusps
- Distal cusp is smallest and on the buccal aspect
- 2 roots
- Mesial and distal
- Occlusal Features of Mandibular 1st Molars
- Identify supporting cusps
- 3 buccal cusps
- 2 lingual cusps
- Locate the marginal ridges
- Transverse ridges?
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Mandibular 2nd Molar Root Features
- Mesial root is wider than distal root.
- Mesial MR higher than distal MR
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Occlusal Features of Mandibular 2nd Molars
- Supporting cusps are MB and DB
- Marginal ridges
- Distinct transverse ridges
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Mandibular 2nd Molar (18, 31)
- 4 cusps
- No D cusp
- Symmetrical
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Pericoronitis
- Clinical Applications: 3rd Molars
- Most common congenitally missing tooth
- Frequently impacted due to lack of space
- Pericoronitis when partially erupted
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Mandibular 3rd Molar (17, 32)
- 4 or 5 cusps (so crown can look like 1st or 2nd molar)
- Extra grooves
- Roots fused or very close together
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