ANATOMY OF HEAD AND NECK

UNIT 22

UNIT 22 : MANDIBULAR PERMANENT

MOLARS
Mandibular molars are the biggest teeth in the mandibular arch.
They have two broad roots for superior anchorage.
The crown of the lower molars are wider mesiodistally than buccolingually (the
opposite is true of upper molars).

MANDIBULAR FIRST MOLAR

The crown is shorter cervico-occlusally than that of anterior teeth but bigger in
every other dimension.
5 cusps:
o 2 buccal
o 2 lingual
o 1 distal

Roots:

Two: mesial and distal

The apical third of both roots tend to curve distally
Deep developmental depression is found on the root trunk (buccal)
Broad buccolingually

Buccal aspect:

The crown is roughly trapezoidal from this aspect

The five cusps can be seen. Mesiobuccal and distobuccal cusps are flat while
the distal cusp is pointed
2 developmental grooves :
o Mesiobuccal
o Distobuccal
Cervical line is normally a regular dipping apically towards the root bifurcation.
Root trunk : 3 mm below the cervical line

ANATOMY OF HEAD AND NECK

UNIT 22

Lingual aspect:

The mesiolingual and distolingual cusps are pointed and have cusp ridges that
are high enough to hide the buccal cusps. . A portion of de distal cusp is seen.
The lingual developmental groove separates the lingual cusps (1)
The cervical line lingually is irregular.
Root trunk : 4 mm below the cervical line

Proximal aspects:

Both are similar but more of the tooth is seen from distal because the distal
portion is smaller and the buccal and lingual surfaces converge distally

Occlusal aspect
Cusps:

Mesiobuccal Lingual cusps (=) distobuccal distal cusp

Ridges:

No oblique ridge

Fossae

Major fossae: central fossa.

Minor fossae: mesial triangular and distal triangular fossae

Central developmental pit

Pit

Grooves:

Central developmental groove

Mesiobuccal developmental groove
Distobuccal developmental groove
Lingual developmental groove
Supplemental grooves

ANATOMY OF HEAD AND NECK

UNIT 22

MANDIBULAR SECOND MOLAR

The mandibular second molar supplements the first molar in function

Normally, the second molar is smaller than the first molar
4 well developed cusps (2 buccal and 2 lingual)
Neither a distal nor a fifth cusp is evident (the distobuccal cusp is larger than
that found on the first molar).
2 well developed roots (mesial and distal)
They are not widely separated

Buccal aspect:

Shorter cervico-occlusally and narrower mediodistally than is the first molar.

Only one developmental groove buccally
MB cusp = DB cusp mesiodistally

Roots:

May be shorter (vary considerably)

Closer together and parallel axes
Inclined distally to the occlusal plane of the crown

Lingual aspect:
Differences between 1st and 2nd mandibular molars:

The crown and root of the mandibular second molar converge lingually but to a
slight degree
The contact areas are at a slightly lower level (especially in the distal area)

Mesial aspect:

Less curvature of the cervical line.

Mesial root pointed apically

Distal aspect:

No distal cusp.

ANATOMY OF HEAD AND NECK

UNIT 22

Occlusal aspect:
Differs considerable from that of the first molar:

No distal cusp
No distobuccal developmental groove
The buccal and lingual developmental grooves meet the central developmental
groove at right angles at the central pit on the occlusal surface.
These grooves form a cross, dividing the occlusal portion of the crown into four
nearly equal parts.

MANDIBULAR THIRD MOLAR

The mandibular third molar varies considerably in different individuals and

presents many anomalies both in form and in position.
More similar to second molar.
The most likely to be impacted in the jaw, wholly or partially (lack of space).
Partial eruption of mandibular third molar teeth may result in periodontal
defects on the distal aspects by the second molars and, in some instances,
resorption of distal root surfaces occurs.