The Permanent Mandibular Premolars

Dr. HALA BUTRUS HANNA

B.D.S., M.Sc., PhD. Conservative Dentistry
 The Permanent Mandibular Premolars

 The 1st premolar is always smaller developing from four lobes, whereas the 2nd premolar is larger
developing from five lobes.
 The crowns of both the teeth are inclined lingually on their root bases.
 They have single root
Permanent Mandibular 1st Premolar
 Permanent Mandibular 1st Premolar

 The mandibular 1st premolar develops from four lobes:

Mesial, distal, buccal and lingual; and has two cusps;
buccal and lingual. The buccal cusp is well developed and
is the only functional cusp occluding with the maxillary
teeth.The lingual cusp is very small and non-functional.
 The mandibular 1st premolar shows resemblance to
both of its neighboring teeth; the mandibular canine and
2nd premolar.
 Permanent Mandibular 1st Premolar
 The features that resemble those of the mandibular canine are:
• Viewed buccally, the buccal cusp is long and sharp. It is the only functional cusp
• From the proximal view, the buccolingual measurement is similar to that of the canine
• The occlusal surface slopes dramatically lingually in a cervical direction.This is because, the lingual cusp is very small
• Viewed occlusally, the occlusal outline of the crown resembles the incisal outline form of the mandibular canine.
 Permanent Mandibular 1st Premolar

 The characteristics that resemble those of the second mandibular premolar are as follows:
• The tooth has two cusps like the 2nd premolar
• Viewed buccally, the crown and root form resembles that of the 2nd premolar
• Both the contact areas on mesial and distal surfaces are at the same level.This feature is common to all posteriors
• The curvature of cervical line mesially and distally is similar.
 Permanent Mandibular 1st Premolar

 Crown
 Buccal Aspect
 Crown is trapezoidal from buccal aspect and appears bilaterally symmetrical.
 Crown Outlines:
Mesial outline is convex except near the cervical line where it is slightly concave. Height of
contour (representing the mesial contact area) is just occlusal to the center of the crown cervico-
occlusally.
Distal Outline is concave near the cervix and becomes convex as it joins the occlusal outline.
The distal contact area is broader and is at the same level as the mesial contact area.
Occlusal Outline: The buccal cusp tip is sharp and the mesiobuccal and distobuccal cusp ridges
are slightly concave on unworn premolar. Distal cusp ridge is longer than the mesial cusp ridge.
Cervical Outline:The cervical line on buccal surface is curved apically.
 Buccal Surface within the Outlines: The crown appears broader with a narrow cervix. The
middle buccal lobe is well developed into a long buccal cusp and prominent buccal ridge. The
buccal cusp tip is pointed and is placed slightly mesial to the center of the crown. The buccal
surface is convex.
 Permanent Mandibular 1st Premolar
 Crown
 Lingual Aspect
 The crown is trapezoidal like that of buccal aspect.
 Crown Outlines: Mesial, distal, cervical outlines are similar to that of buccal aspect.
Occlusal Outline Occlusal limit of lingual surface is formed by the cusp tip and
cusp ridges of the lingual cusp. The occlusal outline is notched by a groove passing
between mesial marginal ridge and mesiolingual cusp ridge. Because of a much
shorter lingual cusp, buccal cusp tip and cusp ridges are visible from lingual aspect.
 Lingual Surface within the Outlines: There is marked lingual convergence of the
crown resulting in a much narrower lingual surface. Consequently, most of the
mesial and distal surfaces can be seen from lingual aspect. Occlusal surface slopes
lingually because of shorter lingual cusp. Thus, most of the occlusal surface,
including buccal triangular ridge, marginal ridge, inclined planes of buccal cusp,
mesial and distal fossae is visible. The lingual cusp tip is pointed and is in line with
the buccal triangular ridge which is clearly seen from this aspect. The characteristic
feature of mandibular 1st premolar is the mesiolingual developmental groove
extending from mesial developmental groove of occlusal surface onto the lingual
surface mesially.
 Permanent Mandibular 1st Premolar
 Crown
 Mesial Aspect
 Geometric shape: Crown appears rhomboidal which is true for proximal aspect of all
mandibular posterior teeth.
 Crown Outlines
Buccal Outline: The buccal outline is marked by convex from cervix to buccal cusp tip. Height
of buccal contour is at the cervical third of the crown.
Lingual Outline: Lingual outline is convex stretching out of the confines of the root and thus,
creating an overhang above the root trunk lingually. Its height of contour is at the middle third
of crown, near to lingual cusp tip.
Occlusal Outline: Occlusal outline is a concave arc sloping lingually. The mesial marginal ridge
slopes prominently in lingual direction.
Cervical Outline:The cervical line curves slightly in occlusal direction.
 Mesial Surface within the Outlines: Mesial surface is smoothly convex except for the
mesiolingual developmental groove and a concavity just above the cervical line. The buccal
cusp tip is centered over the root base. In other words, it is in line with the vertical root
axis. Lingual cusp tip is in line with lingual outline of root. The mesial marginal ridge slopes
prominently in a lingual direction. Some part of occlusal surface with buccal and lingual
triangular ridges can be seen from mesial aspect. Mesial contact area: It is occlusal to the
center of crown, and is in line with the buccal cusp tip.
 Permanent Mandibular 1st Premolar
 Crown
 Distal Aspect
 Geometric shape: Rhomboidal like mesial aspect.
 Crown Outlines:
Buccal and lingual outlines are similar to that of mesial aspect.
Occlusal Outline: Distal marginal ridge is perpendicular to the long axis of tooth
rather than sloping lingually. It is placed at a higher level than mesial marginal ridge
from the cervix.
Cervical Outline:The cervical line on the distal surface is nearly a straight line.
 Distal Surface within the Outlines: The distal surface is smooth except for a small
linear concavity just above the cervical line. The distal contact area is at the same
level but broader than the mesial contact area.
 Permanent Mandibular 1st Premolar
 Crown
 Occlusal Aspect
 Geometric shape: Diamond-shaped or circular.
 Relative Dimensions: Buccolingual dimension is only 0.5 mm greater
than mesiodistal dimension, thus the crown appears circular rather
than oval. Because of lingual inclination of the crown, most of the
buccal surface and very little of lingual surface can be seen from
occlusal aspect.
 Cusp and Cusp Ridges: Buccal cusp is larger making the major bulk of
the crown and the lingual cusp is much smaller. The crown converges
sharply towards lingual surface. Mesiobuccal and distobuccal cusp
ridges are stronger than the mesiolingual and distolingual cusp ridges.
Buccal triangular ridge is strong and well developed whereas the lingual
triangular ridge is less defined. There are inclined planes on either side
of triangular ridges.
 Fossae: Mandibular 1st premolar has two fossae: The mesial and the
distal. The fossae near marginal ridges are irregular rather than
triangular and thus named as mesial and distal fossae.
 Permanent Mandibular 1st Premolar
 Crown
 Occlusal Aspect
 Grooves and Pits: Grooves It has three grooves:
1. Mesial developmental groove: It is located in the mesial fossa; is short and
extends buccolingually
2. Distal developmental groove: It is in the distal fossa is longer
3. Mesiolingual developmental groove: It is continuous from mesial groove and it
extends between mesial marginal ridge and mesiolingual cusp ridge onto the
lingual surface mesially. This groove is the characteristic feature of mandibular 1st
premolar.
Pit:The distal fossa may have a pit in its center.
Marginal Ridges: Mesial marginal ridge is shorter and is constricted because of
mesiolingual developmental groove. It slopes sharply lingually in a cervical
direction. • The distal marginal ridge is confluent with the distolingual cusp ridge.
 Permanent Mandibular 1st Premolar
 Root
o Number:The mandibular premolar has a single root
o Size: It is slightly shorter than the mandibular 2nd premolar root and 3 to 4 mm shorter than that
of mandibular canine
o Form: It is conical in shape, tapering evenly from cervix to apex.
o The root is wider buccolingually than mesiodistally
o Buccal and lingual surfaces are convex and proximal surfaces are flat
o The root tapers acutely towards lingual surface
o Lingual convergence of the root is exaggerated.
 Developmental Groove and Depressions
Developmental depression on the mesial surface of the root is deeper than on the distal surface. A
deep developmental groove is often present on the mesial surface of root running longitudinally.
Apex The root apex is pointed.
Curvature The apical third of root is often curved distally.
Permanent Mandibular 1st Premolar
Permanent Mandibular 2nd Premolar
 Permanent Mandibular 2nd Premolar

 The mandibular 2nd premolar is larger than the mandibular 1st premolar
and it resembles the latter only from buccal aspect. It has a broad occlusal
table and assists mandibular molars in grinding the food. The crown shows
wide variation in occlusal anatomy. It has a single root that resembles the
root of mandibular 1st premolar in form although it is longer.
 Mandibular 2nd premolar is the only premolar developing from five lobes:
three buccal (mesial, buccal, distal lobes) and two lingual lobes
(mesiolingual and distolingual lobes).
 Permanent Mandibular 2nd Premolar

 These are two common forms of mandibular 2nd premolar

1.Three cusp form (‘Y’ groove pattern) – Frequently seen
2.Two cusp form (‘U’ and ‘H’ groove pattern).
 Permanent Mandibular 2nd Premolar
 Crown
 Buccal Aspect
 Geometric shape:Trapezoidal
 Crown Outlines
Mesial outline is convex for a short distance near the cervical line. Its height of contour
(mesial contact area) is at the middle third of the crown.
Distal outline is more convex. Its height of contour (distal contact area) is also at the
middle third.
Occlusal Outline: Buccal cusp tip is blunt with the mesial and distal buccal cusp ridges
meeting at a more obtuse angle.
Cervical Outline:The cervical line is slightly curved apically.
 Buccal Surface within the Outlines: The crown appears short and bulky from buccal
aspect. The buccal surface is smooth and convex. The buccal ridge extending from
cervical line to the buccal cusp tip is very prominent.
 Permanent Mandibular 2nd Premolar
 Crown
 Lingual Aspect
 Geometric shape:Trapezoidal like the buccal aspect.
 Crown Outlines:
Mesial, distal and cervical outlines are similar to that of buccal aspect.
Occlusal Outline is formed by the lingual cusp tip and cusp ridges of lingual cusp/cusps
(depending on cusp type). A part of buccal cusp is seen since the lingual cusp are not as long
as the buccal cusp.
 Lingual Surface within the Outlines: The crown appears bulky from lingual aspect too. The
crown does not taper much lingually and thus, very little of proximal surfaces can be
seen. In the three cusps type, there are two lingual cusps: mesiolingual and distolingual.
 The lingual cusp/cusps are well developed and are of nearly same length as that of buccal
cusp. A part of occlusal surface may be seen from lingual aspect. The lingual surface is
smooth and spheroidal.
 Permanent Mandibular 2nd Premolar
 Crown
 Mesial Aspect
 Geometric shape: It is rhomboidal similar to proximal aspect of all mandibular posteriors.
 Crown Outlines
Buccal outline is convex and the height of contour is at the middle third of crown.
Lingual Outline is less convex and its height of contour is at the occlusal third of the crown.
The lingual outline is out of confines of the root base.
Occlusal Outline is concave. The mesial marginal ridge is at right angles to the long axis of the
tooth.
Cervical Outline curves occlusally.
 Mesial Surface within the Outlines: The crown is lingually inclined on its root base but not
to the extent of mandibular 1st premolar. The buccal cusp tip is blunt and is buccal to the
vertical root axis.The lingual cusp tip is in line with lingual outline of the root. The mesial
surface is smoothly convex and devoid of any developmental groove. Mesial contact area
is at the middle third of the crown and centered buccolingually.
 Permanent Mandibular 2nd Premolar
 Crown
 Distal Aspect
 Geometric shape: It is rhomboidal similar to the mesial aspect.
 Crown Outlines
Buccal, lingual and cervical outlines are similar to that of the mesial
aspect.
Occlusal Outline The distal marginal ridge is also at right angles to the
long axis but is at a lower level than the mesial marginal ridge.
 Distal Surface within the Outlines
 Distal surface is also smoothly convex. More of occlusal surface
can be seen than from mesial aspect, as distal marginal ridge is at a
lower level. Distal contact area is at the same level as the mesial
contact area but is broader.
 Permanent Mandibular 2nd Premolar
 Crown
 Occlusal Aspect
 Three Cusps Type (More Common)
Geometric shape: Square-shaped with nearly equal mesiodistal crown width buccally and lingually.
Cusp and Cusps Ridges: There are three cusps:
1. Buccal cusp is the largest one, followed by mesiolingual cusp and distolingual cusp in that order.
2.The lingual lobes are well developed.
3. Each cusp has mesial and distal cusp ridges of its own, and a triangular ridge sloping from cusp tip towards the
center of the occlusal surface.
Grooves and Pits: There are three developmental grooves converging at a central pit and thus, forming a ‘Y’ shaped
pattern. Few supplementary grooves radiate from developmental grooves in the triangular fossa.
1. Mesial developmental groove: It is long and runs from the central pit mesiobuccally and ends in the mesial
triangular fossa.
2. Distal developmental groove: It is a shorter groove running from the central pit to the distal triangular fossa.
3. Lingual developmental groove: It runs in a lingual direction between two lingual cusps and ends on the lingual
surface of the crown. The mesiolingual cusp is wider than distolingual cusp; the lingual groove is placed slightly distal
to the center of the crown . In three cusp type, there is no central developmental groove.
 Permanent Mandibular 2nd Premolar
 Crown
 Occlusal Aspect
 Three Cusps Type (More Common)
 Pits There are three pits:
1. Central pit is located in the center of occlusal surface buccolingually and slightly distal to
the center mesiodistally.
2. Mesial pit is in the mesial triangular fossa.
3. Distal pit is in the distal triangular fossa.
 Marginal Ridges and Fossae Marginal Ridges: Both the marginal ridges are strongly
developed. Sometimes supplementary groove can cross them.
 Fossae: There are two small triangular fossae; mesial and distal. Triangular fossae
harbor mesial/distal developmental groove mesial/distal pit and some supplemental
grooves.
 Permanent Mandibular 2nd Premolar
 Crown
 Occlusal Aspect
 Two Cusps Type
 Geometric shape: Circular in outline.
 Cusps and Ridges: The two cusps are buccal and lingual. Buccal cusp is larger
and lingual cusp is also well developed though it is slightly smaller. The
crown tapers slightly towards lingual aspect. The cusps have mesial and
distal cusp ridges and occlusally converging triangular ridges.
 Grooves and Pits Grooves: The central developmental groove extends
mesiodistally across the occlusal surface and ends in mesial and distal fossae.
It may be straight/crescent shaped and separates the triangular ridges of
buccal and lingual cusps.
 Permanent Mandibular 2nd Premolar
 Crown
 Occlusal Aspect
 Two Cusps Type
 There are two groove patterns:
1.‘U’ pattern:Where central groove is crescent shaped.
2.‘H’ pattern:Where central groove is straight connecting mesial and distal fossa.
 Pits: There may be mesial and distal pits located in the mesial and distal fossae. In
two cusps type, there is no central pit.
 Marginal Ridges and Fossae: Mesial and distal marginal ridges are strongly developed.
The fossae near marginal ridges are irregular rather than triangular and are called as
mesial and distal occlusal fossae.
 Permanent Mandibular 2nd Premolar

 ROOT

 Number: Single root almost never bifurcated.

 Size:The root is broader, stronger and longer than that of the mandibular 1st premolar.
 Form: The root is conical tapering from cervix to apex. It is wider mesiodistally and does not taper much
towards lingual aspect. Buccal surfaces are convex and proximal surfaces are flat.
 Apex: It is more blunt.
 Curvature:The root may be straight or its apical end may have a distal curvature.
Permanent Mandibular 2nd Premolar
THE END