Maxillary Premolars Flashcards
(39 cards)
What features do posterior teeth have?
- Cusps
- Ridges
- Fossae
- Grooves
Where are marginal ridges located on posterior teeth like premolars?
Mesial and distal borders of the occlusal surface.
What is a triangular ridge?
Ridge that extends from a cusp tip to the central groove of the tooth
What forms a transverse ridge?
Ridge that forms when two triangular ridges meet from the buccal and lingual cusps
What is a fossa, and what types exist?
A fossa is a small depression on a tooth’s surface, with central and triangular types on posterior teeth.
What are the developmental grooves?
- Central grooves
- Marginal grooves
-Triangular grooves
What are supplemental grooves
Smaller grooves, more common further back in the mouth
Why are pits and grooves on premolars at risk for caries?
The complexity of pits and grooves retains biofilm and has weaker enamel, increasing decay risk.
What are the roles of premolars?
Premolars aid in mastication, support facial structure, assist canines in cutting food, and support cheeks.
What does it mean that premolars are succedaneous?
They replace the primary first and second molars.
How many cusps do most premolars have?
Most have two cusps: one buccal and one lingual, though some may have three (one buccal and two lingual).
How many roots do premolars typically have?
Premolars can have one or two roots; if two, they are buccal and lingual, each with a pulp canal.
How does the crown shape of premolars compare to anterior teeth?
Premolars have shorter crowns than anterior teeth but similar root lengths.
How can maxillary first and second premolars be visually differentiated?
Maxillary first premolars are larger and have a prominent buccal ridge, while second premolars are more rounded.
Describe the eruption and root completion ages for maxillary first premolars.
They erupt around 10-11 years and complete roots at 12-13 years
What unique feature does the maxillary first premolar have on its crown?
It has a mesial crown depression that extends to the root.
What groove is unique to the maxillary first premolar’s mesial surface?
The mesial marginal groove crosses the marginal ridge and extends cervically
What shape is the occlusal surface of the maxillary first premolar?
It forms a hexagonal shape.
How do the cusps of maxillary first premolars differ?
The buccal cusp is sharper and higher, while the lingual cusp is rounder and shorter.
Describe the central groove on the maxillary first premolar.
It is a long, well-defined groove running buccolingually on the occlusal surface.
What makes the root structure of maxillary premolars unique concerning the maxillary sinus?
The roots may penetrate the sinus due to their proximity, especially during trauma or extraction.
At what ages do maxillary second premolars erupt and complete root formation?
They erupt at 10-12 years, with root completion by 12-14 years.
What is a key structural difference between maxillary first and second premolars?
Maxillary second premolars usually have one root and more supplemental grooves than first premolars.
Why might maxillary premolars require sealants?
Sealants protect deep grooves from caries in patients with no signs of decay.
