MOLARS

cusps
ALL molars:
mastication
(chewing and
grinding)
maintains vertical
dimension
aesthetics
roots ~ 2X as long
as crown

ML>MB>DB>
DL>Cusp of
Carabelli

may only have 3 cusps

in 3 cusp
version (w/o
DL), acute and
obtuse angles
become more so

marginal ridges
MMR>DMR
occlusally
and longer (BL)
may have
tubercles and a
groove on MMR

MMR>DMR
occlusally
and longer (BL)

4, 5 or 6 cusps
the lingual cusps can be
seen from the buccal
aspect and are larger
and more pronounced
than buccal

lingual cusps are seen

from the buccal aspect
and are larger and more
pronounced than buccal

third molars
are
congenitally
missing 20%

ML~DL
3 B cusps
(smallest is D
cusp) which is
absent 20%

MMR>DMR
occlusally

aproximal aspects

B groove that ends in

pit at M3

occlusal
aspect

BL>MD
oblique
ridge from
ML to DB

B groove that ends in

pit at M3

BL>MD
oblique
ridge from
ML to DB

have MB and DB
grooves (MB being
deeper and more
frequently pitted)
has L groove that
ends on O3 with no
pit

fossa

ML>MB>DL>
DB

other features

palatal>MB>DB
furcation near j of C/M
open pliers
MB broader than DB
palatal may extend beyond crown
and curves BL
depressions: L of palatal; M and D
of MB

the first molars are centered in the

arch anteroposteriorly
largest and strongest teeth
MB and DB roots curve distally,
enough that MB root distal to B
grove

have C, B, L,
transverse (across
oblique ridge) and
oblique grooves

has C, M, D
and
oblique*
fossae
*not present
in 3-cusp
version

have C, B, L,
transverse (across
oblique ridge) and
oblique* grooves
*not present in 3cusp version

palatal>MB>DB
less curved and more parallel than
above
depressions: L of palatal; M and D
of MB

MB and DB roots curve distally

W-shaped
central groove

M broader and longer than D,

both curve distally
root trunks are shorter than below
M root twisted with apex in line
with MB groove
D root straighter
depression on M and D of M root

largest MD dimension of all teeth

more cervical and lingual taper
than below because of D cusp
MB and L grooves may have
cervical depressions that extend
on root trunk to furcation

C and a sometimes
continuous B/L
groove (+ shaped)

M broader and longer than D,

both curve distally
less curved and more parallel than
above
depression on M and D of M root

MB and L grooves may have

cervical depressions that extend
on root trunk to furcation

varied, mostly fused for most of

length of any furcation

combined MD width of upper

molars make up 44% (51% for
the lower) of that quadrants
dimension

MD>BL
C, M and D
due to D
cusp

B groove that ends in

pit at M3

root features

has C, M, D
and oblique
fossae

4-5 cusps
MMR>DMR
occlusally

table

C, M and D
MD>BL

usually missing DL in upper

anomalies in upper tend to be microdontia and
macrodontia in lower

GENERALIZATIONS
All molars have a distally tapered crown (occlusally and buccally) and a lingually tapered crown EXCEPT for upper first
molars and their large DL cusp
All bottom molars also tilt distally and lingually
Molars may have a cervical ridge mesiodistally that makes C3 the HOC on buccal side (especially on bottom 2nd molars)
Lingual HOC is M3

All molars have MD>OC dimensions (shortest teeth)

All molars have mesial contacts at the junction of O/M and distal contacts at M3
CEJ tends to dip more occlusally on M than D
For posterior teeth, if you can see the occlusal table to any degree, then it is a distal view,
EXCEPT the lower 1st premolars, where it is a mesial view

MOLARS