MAXILLARY 2ND MOLAR

MAXILLARY MOLARS

• mastication and comminution of food
• largest and strongest maxillary teeth
• roots are broad at the base in all directions and are trifurcated
• crowns are shorter than premolars but dimensions are greater in aspect

MAX.2ND COMPARED TO THE 1ST

• supplements the first molar in function
• distobuccal cusp is not as large or as well developed
• no fifth cusp is eviden
• distolingual cusp is smaller
• roots are as long as the first max. molar

TYPES OF MAXILLARY 2ND MOLARS: 1ST TYPE

• most common
• occlusally, resembles the 1st Molar
• rhomboidal outline is more extreme
• accentuated by the lesser measurement lingually

TYPES OF MAXILLARY 2ND MOLARS: 2ND TYPE

• resembles a typical 3rd molar
• poorly developed DL cusp
• which makes the development of the other cusps more predominate
• heart shaped form from the occlusal aspect

BUCCAL ASPECT: CROWN

• shorter cervico-occlusally and narrower mesiodistally
• DB cusp is smaller
• allows part of the distal marginal ridge and part of the DL cusp to be seen

BUCCAL ASPECT: ROOT

• buccal roots are about the same length, nearly parallel & inclined distally
• end of DB root is slightly distal to the distal extremity of thr crown
• apex of MB root is in line with the buccal groove of the crown

LINGUAL ASPECT

• DL cusp of the crown is smaller
• the DB cusp may be seen through the sulcus between the ML and DL cusp
• no fifth cusp is evident
• apex of the lingual root is in line with the DL cusp tip

MESIAL ASPECT

• BL dimension of the 2nd molar is about the same as the 1st
• Though the crown length is less
• roots do not spread as far BL
• Roots are within the confines of the BL crown outline

DISTAL ASPECT

• DB cusp is smaller and more of the MB cusp may be seen
• the ML cusp cannot be seen
• apex of the lingual root is in line with with the DL cusp

OCCLUSAL ASPECT

• rhomboidal is the most common type
• though the acute angles are less and the obtuse angles are greater
• BL diameter is about equal
• MD diameter is approx. 1mm less