Anatomy of deciduous

and permanent teeth

and its clinical
significance
MAXILLARY CENTRAL
INCISOR
• squared or rectangular appearance 
• straight incisal edge
• cervical line with even curvature toward the root
• mesial side with straight outline
• the distal side being more curved. 
• mesial incisal angle is relatively sharp, 
• distal incisal angle rounded . 
• Labial surface of the crown is usually convex
• newly erupted or if little wear is evident-
mamelons will be seen on the incisal ridge
• developmental lines on  labial surface divide the
surface into three parts 
• Lingually-the surface more irregular
• The largest part of the middle and incisal portions
of the lingual area is concave-mesial and distal
marginal ridges border the concavity, the lingual
portion of the incisal ridge, and the convexity
apically to the cingulum- lingual topography gives
a scoop like form to the crown - exaggeration of
the marginal ridges, known as a shovel-shaped
incisor
 Click to add text

Maxillary right central incisor, lingual and incisal aspects. The labioincisal edge [(LIE
(1)] and linguoincisal edge [LIE (2)] border the incisal ridge. CL, Cervical line; C,
cingulum, MMR, mesial marginal ridge; LF, lingual fossa, DMR, distal marginal ridge
 LABIAL ASPECT
• The crest of curvature mesially and distally  on the crown represent
the contact areas
• Mesial outline of the crown is only slightly  convex with the crest
of curvature  approaching the mesioincisal angle

• Distal outline – convex- crest of curvature towards the cervical line-

Distoincisal angle not as sharp
• Incisal outline-regular  and straight-if it has been in function long
enough to obliterate mamelons
• Cervical outline- semicircular curvature-root wise
• Root of central incisor  from labial aspect is cone shaped
LINGUAL ASPECT

• Has both convexity and concavity

• Below the cervical  line smooth convexity is found
called cingulum
• Mesially  and distally confluent with cingulum are
the marginal ridges
• Between the marginal ridges below the cingulum a
shallow concavity is present called the lingual fossa
• Linguoincisal ridge is raised somewhat at the same
level as marginal ridges  mesially and distally
• Crown and root taper lingually
 MESIAL ASPECT
• Crown is wedge shaped or triangular
• Incisal ridge on a line with the center of the root
• Labially and lingually, immediately coronal to the cervical
line are crest of curvature-area of greatest labiolingual
measurement
• Labial outline-from the crest of curvature  to incisal ridge is
slightly convex at the point where it joins the crest of
curvature of the cingulum then it becomes concave at the
mesial marginal ridge and slightly convex again at the
linguoincisal ridge and the incisal edge
• Cervical line-curves incisally
DISTAL ASPECT
• From his aspect the crown gives an
impression of being slightly thicker
towards the incisal surface-this illusion
is due to the slope of the labial surface
distolingually, thus more surface can be
seen from this aspect
• Curvature of the cervical line –less
extent on mesial than distal
INCISAL ASPECT
• Labial surface -broad and flat
• Incisal edge clearly seen
• Lingual portion tapers lingually
towards cingulum
• Line drawn from the mesioincisl line
angle to the center of cingulum will
be longer than from distolincisal line
angle to center of cingulum
 MAXILLARY LATERAL
INCSIOR
• Smaller in all dimensions except
root length
• Have far more variation than any
other tooth except the third molar
• They maybe
- peg shaped lateral
-have a palato-radicular groove
-may have a large pointed tubercle as
a part of cingulum
-developmental grooves that extend
down on the root lingually with a
deep fold in the cingulum
-twisted root or distorted crown
LABIAL ASPECT
• Rounded incisal angle mesially and distally 
• Crown smaller
• Rounded incisal edge
• Mesial outline- more rounded as compared to
central incisor-crest of contour point of junction
of middle and incisal third
• Distal outline-more rounded –crest of contour
more cervical 
• Labial surface more convex than central incisor
• Relatively narrow mesiodistally however root is
as long
• Root tapers evenly from cervical line and ends
in pointed apex
LINGUAL ASPECT
Mesial and distal marginal
ridges are marked 
Cingulum is prominent
Dep development grooves
within lingual fossa which
joins the cingulum
Linguoincisal ridge well
developed
Lingual fossa is more
concave and circumscribed
than found on central
incisor
MESIAL ASPECT
Mesial aspect of the maxillary
lateral incisor is similar to that of
central incisor
Curvature of cervical line
marked in the direction of incisal
ridge

Root appears as tapered cone

DISTAL ASPECT
Widh of the crown distally
appers thicker
Curvature of cervical line
usually less in depth
Presence of developmental
grooves distally on crown
 INCISAL ASPECT
Resemble central incisor
except I size
Labiolingual dimension
maybe greater than usual in
comparison with
mesiodital  dimension
MANDIBULAR CENTRAL
INCISOR

Smallest tooth the dental arches

Crown little more ta half the mesiodistal
dimension of maxillary central incisor

Labiolingually diameter only 1mm less than

maxillary cental incisor

Root is also narrow mesiodistally wide

labiolingually
LABIAL ASPECT
Regular and tapering evenly from the relatively sharp
mesial and distal incisal angles

Incisal edge straight

Mesial and distal outlines straight drop downwards from

incisal angles to contact areas-from there tapers evenly
from contact area to narrow cervix
Labial surface is smooth
LINGUAL ASPECT
Lingual surface of crown is smooth-slight
concavity-inconspicuous marginal ridges
Marginal ridges mor prominent  near incisal
edges

Lingual surface becomes flat and then convex

as progression is made from the incisal third
to the cervical third

No developmental lines or prominent

cingulum on this tooth
 MESIAL ASPECT

Outline of the labial face of the crown is straight

above the cervical curvature
Sloping rapidly from the crest of curvature to the
incisal ride
Lingual outline –straight line inclined labially for a
short distance above the smooth convexity of the
cingulum ,the straight outline joins a concave line
at the middle third of the crown 
Curvature of cervical line-marked
Root outline-straight it within confines of the
crown
DISTAL ASPECT
Cervical line curves
incisally
Distal surface of the crown
and the root of the
mandibular central incisor
is similar to that of the
mesial surface
 INCISAL ASPECT
Mesial half of crown almost identical to distal
half
Incisal edge is almost at right angle to a line
bisecting the crown labiolingually
Crown tapers lingually 
Labial surface of the crown at incisal third-
tendency toward convexity
Lingual surface of the crown at the incisal
third – inclination towards concavity
 MANDIBULAR LATERAL
INCISOR
Resembles mandibular central incisor closely
Mandibular lateral incisor  is somewhat larger than
mandibular central incisor

LABIAL AND LINGUAL 
ASPECT
Labiolingual dimension more than mandibular central
incisor by 1mm
MESIAL AND DISTAL
ASPECT
Mesial side of the crown is often longer than the
distal  thus causes incisal ridge to slope in a distal
direction

Distal contact are is more cervical than mesial

contact area
Even the curvature mesially and distally are similar

INCISAL ASPECT
Incisal edge is not at approximate right angle to the line
bisecting the crown labiongually

Incisal edge follows curvature of  dental arch

MAXILLARY CANINE 
Commonly referred to as the cornerstone of the dental
arch

Mesial half makes contact with the lateral incisor and

the distal half makes contact with the first premolar

Labiolingual measurement is greater  than that of 

maxillary central incisor

Cingulum is well  developed

Root is thick labiolingually with developmental

depression mesially and distally that help furnish the
secure anchorage  in the maxilla
 LABIAL ASPECT
Mesially-outline of the crown –convex from cervix to the center of the
mesial contact area-slight concavity above the contact area
Mesial contact area- junction of the middle and incisal third
Distally-outline of crown concave between cervical line and the distal
contact area
Distal contact area-center of the middle third of the crown
Cervical line is convex with convexity towards root portion
Cup tip in line with center of the root
Mesial slope being shorter than distal slope
Labial surface-smooth- concavity on either side of middle labial lobe
Root- slender and conical
LINGUAL ASPECT
Crown tapers lingually
Cingulum –large and pointed
Well-developed lingual ridge –
confluent with the cusp tip
Shallow concavities evident between
lingual r ridge and marginal ridge-
these concavities are called mesial and
distal fossae
Developmental depressions mesially
an distally maybe present these roots
extending most of the root length
 MESIAL ASPECT
Wedge shaped outline

Crest of curvature found at the level more incisal because the middle labial
and lingual lobes highly developed
Below the cervical third of the crown –slightly convex from the crest of
curvature at the cervical third to the tip of the cusp –line usually becomes
straight as it approaches the cusp

Lingual outline-convex line describing the cingulum which straightens out

as the middle third is reached, becoming convex again in the incisal third

Root outline- conical-tapered-bluntly pointed apex

Line bisecting cusp is labial to line bisecting root
 DISTAL ASECT
Same as mesial aspect

Cervical line has less curvature

towards cusp ridge
Distal marginal ridge is heavier

Developmental depression on the

side of root more pronounces
INCISAL ASPECT
Tip of the cusp is labial to the center of the
crown labioligually and mesial to the center
mesiodistally
Crown of this tooth gives the impression of
having distal portion stretched out to make
contact
MANDIBULAR CANINE

Narrow mesiodistally than maxillary canine-

labiolingually almost similar

Lingual surface is smoother with less

developed cingulum

Variation-bifurcated roots
 LABIAL ASPECT
Mesiodistal dimension less than maxillary canine

It appears longer-due to narrowness of crown mesiodistally and height of

contact are above the cervix

Mesial outline-nearly straight-mesial contact are being near the mesioincisal

angle
Cusp ridges is on a line with the center of the root

Distal contact area-towards the incisal aspect

Cervical line- semicircular curvature apically
Maxillary canine crown are more likely to be in line with the root
LINGUAL ASPECT
Lingual surface –flatter
Cingulum- smooth , poorly developed

Marginal ridges-less distinct

Lingual portion of the root narrow relatively that the

maxillary canine
MESIAL  AND DISTAL
ASPECTASPECT
Less curvature labially  on the crown,with very litlte
curvature above the line

Lingual outline of the crown is curved in the same

manner as the maxillary canine

Cingulum is not as pronounced

Cusp tip nearly at the center of the root

Cervical line curves more toward incisal aspect

Root tip is pointed

Developmental depression mesially on the root of

mandibular canine pronounced
INCISAL ASPECT
Mesiodistal dimension mandibular canine greater than
labiolingual dimension

Cusp tip and mesial cusp ridge inclined in a lingual

direction
MAXILLARY FIRST PREMOLAR

Two cusp- buccal and

lingual
Two root buccal and
lingual 
Variation- some incidences
of having three roots
BUCCAL ASPECT
Trapezoidal  in shape

Buccal cusp-mesial slope is longer than distal slope

Crest of curvature of the cervical line-center of the root buccally

Mesial outline-slightly concave from the cervical line to mesial contact
area
mesial contact area –occlusal to the halfway point from the cervical line
to the tip of the buccal cusp

Distal outline-below the cervical line is straight

distal contact area- tends to be a little occlusal

Buccal cusp is distal to the line bisecting the buccal surface of the crown

Development of middle buccal lobe-continuous from the cusp tip to the

cervical margin on the buccal surface-buccal ridge
 LINGUAL
ASPECT
Crown tapers lingually

Lingual cusp is smooth, spheroidal from cervical

portion to the area near cusp tip

Crest of the smooth lingual portion terminates at

the point of the lingual cusp –called lingual ridge
Mesial and distal portion of the crown is convex –
continuous with mesial and distal slopes of lingual
cusp and straighten as the join the mesial and
distal sides of the lingual root at the cervical line

Cervical line- regular

 MESIAL ASPECT
• Trapezoidal
• Cervical line-regular outline
• Mesial aspect-
• Buccal outline of the crown  curves outward below the cervical line- crest
of curvature is located at the junction of cervical and middle third-from
the crest of curvature  the buccal outline continues as a line of less
convexity to the tip of the buccal cup
• Lingual outline-curved line starting at the cervical line and ending at the
tip of the lingual cusp-crest of curvature near the center of the middle
third
• Tip of the lingual cusp is on a line with the  lingual border of lingual root
• Mesial developmental depression-a marked depression cervical to
mesial contact area ,centered on the mesial surface ad bordered  buccally
and lingually by the mesiobuccal and mesiolingual line angle
 DISTAL ASPECT
• curvature of cervical line less
• Developmental groove crossing
distal marginal ridge not present
• Root trunk is flattened
 OCCLUSAL
•ASPECT
• hexagonal
Well defined central developmental groove dived
the occlusal surface buccolingually-traverses
mesially to join the mesial developmental groove

• Two collateral developmental grooves join the

central groove just inside the mesial and distal
marginal ridges-mesiobuccal developmental
grooves and distobuccal developmental grooves-
junction of these are known as mesial and distal
developmental pits MBCR, mesiobuccal cusp ridge; MMR, mesial marginal ridge;
• Mesial triangular fossa-distal to mesial marginal MTF, mesial triangular fossa (shaded area); CDG, central
ridge developmental groove; MLCR, mesiolingual cusp ridge; DLCR,
• Distal triangular fossa-mesial to distal marginal distolingual cusp ridge; DTF, distal triangular fossa; DMR, distal
ridge marginal ridge; DBCR, distobuccal cusp ridge.
MAXILLARY SECOND PREMOLAR
 Resemble maxillary first premolar closely- however it
is both cervicocclusally and mesiolingually  smaller

Maxillary premolar is less angular

Two cusps-buccal and lingual

Single rooted
BUCCAL AND LINGUAL
ASPECT
Mesial slope is of buccal
cusp shorter than the distal
slope 

Crown and root  of second

premolar are thicker at the
cervical portions
 MESIAL AND DISTAL
ASPECT
Greater distance between
cusp tips widens 
the  occlusal surface
buccolingually

Distal root depression is

deeper than the mesial
depression
 OCCLUSAL ASPECT

Outlie of the crown is more rounded or oval  as

compared to the angular appearance of maxillary
first premolar

Central developmental groove is shorter irregular

and tendency towards multiple supplementary
grooves-giving a wrinkled appearance to the
occlusal surface
MANDIBULAR FIRST
PREMOLAR
Has similar features to canine and  second premolar

BUCCAL ASPECT
Symmetrical bilaterally-trapezoidal in shape
Middle buccal lobe is well developed 
Large pointed buccal cusp
Mesial cusp ridge shorter than distal cusp ridge
Mesial outline-straight or slightly concave above cervical line to a point  where it joins the
curvature of mesial contact area
Distal outline-slightly concave above cervical line to a point  where it is confluent with the
curvature describing distal contact area 
Buccal surface is more convex 
Continuous ridge form the cervical margin to the cusp tip called the buccal ridge
LINGUAL ASPECT
Crown and root tapers lingually
Lingual cusp is always small 
Occlusal surface slope greatly towards lingual in a cervical direction down to short
lingual cusp

Lingual cusp is short and less developed

Cusp tip is in alignment with buccal triangular ridge

Mesiolingual developmental groove-line of demarcation between mesiobuccal and

lingual lobes
MESIAL ASPECT
Roughly rhomboidal

Tip of buccal cusp nearly centered over the root

Buccal outline-prominently curved from cervical line to the

tip of buccal cusp-crest of curvature is near the middle third
of the crown

Lingual outline-curved outline of less convexity than that of

buccal surface-crest of curvature lingually approaches the
middle third of the crown-with curvature ending at the tip of
the lingual cusp-which is in line with the lingual border of
the root
DISTAL ASPECT
Distal marginal ridge
higher

Marginal ridge is confluent

with the  lingual cusp ridge

Distal surface slopes from

the buccal margin towards
the center of the root
lingually
OCCLUSAL ASPECT
Roughly diamond

Middle buccal lobe makes major bulk

Buccal ridge prominent
Mesiobuccal and distobuccal line angles rounded
Crown converges sharply to the center of the lingual surface
Marginal ridge is well developed 
Lingual cusp is small
Occlusal surface shows heavy buccal triangular ridge and small
lingual triangular ridge
Two depressions-Mesial and distal fossa
Mesiolingual developmental groove- travels mesiolingually from
cental developmental groove
Mesial fossa is linear-containing mesial developmental groove
Distal fossa contains distal developmental groove that is crescent
shaped
MANDIBUALR SECOND
PREMOLAR
Resembles mandibular first premolar from the buccal
aspect only

Two common forms- three cusp type an d the two cusp

type

BUCCAL ASPECT
Short buccal cusp

Mesiobuccal and distobuccal cusp ridges showing

angulation of lesser degree

Contact area is higher

Root is broad mesiodistally

LINGUAL ASPECT
◦ Lingual lobe are developed to greater degree
◦ Three cusp type-mesiolingual and distolingual cusps are present –mesiolingual cusp being  larger longer
◦ Two cusp type-single lingual cusp development
◦ Roots wide lingually
◦ Crown converges lingually
MESIAL ASPECT
Crown and root are wider buccolingually

Buccal cusp is not as nearly centered over the

root trunk

Marginal ridge is at right angle to long axis of

tooth

Less occlusal surface is seen

DISTAL ASPECT
Similar to mesial aspect except more of the occlusal aspect is seen
Distal marginal ridge is lower
OCCLUSAL ASPECT
Three cusp type- square lingual to the buccal cusp ridge-buccal cusp largest followed by
mesiolingual and distolingual cusp
Cusp has well formed developmental grooves
Grooves converge in a central pit and form a y shape on the occlusal surface

Mesial developmental groove travels in a mesiobuccal direction and ends in the mesial
triangular fossa

Distobuccal developmental roove travels  in a distobuccal direction-ends in distal

triangular fossa

Lingual developmental groove extends lingually between the two lingual cusp
OCCLUSAL ASPECT
◦ TWO CUSP TYPE-
◦ Rounded lingual to buccal cusp ridges
◦ Lingual convergence of mesial and distal ridges
◦ Mesiolingual and distolingual line angle rounded
◦ One developed lingual cusp directly opposite the buccal cusp
◦ Central developmental groove on the occlusal surface travels in a
mesiodistal direction
◦ Most often crescent shaped  -terminal in mesial and distal fossa
 MAXILLARY FIRST
MOLAR
• Largest tooth in the maxillary arch
• Four well developed functioning
cusps- mesiobuccal ,distobuccal , mesiolingual
distolingual
• Supplemental cusp-cusp or tubercle of
Carabelli , found lingual to the mesiolingual cusp,
which is the largest of the well-developed
• three roots - mesiobuccal, distobuccal, and lingual-
well separated and well developed
•  lingual root-longest root- tapered and smoothly
rounded
•  mesiobuccal root -not as long, but it is broader
buccolingually and shaped (in cross section) -
resistance to torsion is greater than that of the lingual
root. 
• distobuccal root - the smallest
 BUCCAL ASPECT
• Trapezoidal
• Mesiobuccal cup is broader than the distobuccal cusp
• Distobuccal cusp sharper than mesiobuccal cusp
• Buccal development groove divides the two buccal cusp

• Mesial outline- nearly straight  path downward and mesially, curving occlusally  as it
reaches the crest of contour of the mesial surface- crest of contour at two- third the
distance  from the cervical line  to tip of mesiobuccal cusp- becomes congruent  with the
outline  of the mesial slope of the mesiobuccal cusp

• Distal outline-distal surface is spheroidal-crest of curvature on the distal surface half the
distance from cervical line to cusp tip
• Distal contact area-middle of middle third

• Point of bifurcation of two buccal roots- approx 4mm above cervical line
• Deep developmental groove  buccally on the root trunk –starts at the bifurcation-
terminates in a shallow depression  at the cervical line

• Lingual root- longest

• Two buccal roots- same size
 LINGUAL ASPECT
• Roundness of the distolingual cusp, smooth curvature of  the distal outline of the
crown becoming confluent with  curvature of the cusp creates an arc that is almost a
semicircle 
• Lingual developmental groove-is confluent with the outline of the distolingual cusp-
ending at a point  approximately  center of the lingual  surface of the crown –
a shallow depression  extends from the terminus of the lingual groove to the center
of the lingual surface at the cervical line and then continues in an apical direction on
the lingual root
• Mesiolingual cusp is much larger-mesiodistal width is about 3/5th of the mesial
distal width 
• Distolingual cusp-remaining 2/5th
• Mesiolingual cusp is sharp whereas distolingual cusp is spheroidal

• Fifth cusp – mesial surface of  of mesiolingual cusp

• Lingual portion of the root trunk is continuous  with the entire cervical  portion of
the crown lingually
 MESIAL
•
ASPECT
Buccal outline-from the cervical line makes a short arch
buccally to its crest of curvature within the cervical third of
crown-shallow concavity immediately below the crest of
curvature-becomes slightly convex  as it progresses downward
and inward to the mesiobuccal cusp ending at the cusp tip
• Lingual outline- of crown outward lingually-crest of curvature is
near the middle third of the crown
• Mesiobuccal -within the outline of the mesiobuccal root
• Mesiolingual cusp is on a line with the long axis of the lingual
root
• Mesiobuccal root is broad flat and exhibit fluting for part of its
length
• Mesial contact –junction of middle third and occlusal third
DISTAL ASPECT
Crown tapers distally –buccolingual measurement  of
crow less distally
Distal margin ridge dips sharply in a cervical direction

Cervical line is almost straight

Distal surface of the crown is generally convex 

Distobuccal root is narrower at its base than the other

two roots

Bifurcation is more apical than any of the two other

areas
 OCCLUSAL ASPECT
• Rhomboidal 
• Crown is lingually wider than buccally
crown is  mesially wider than distally
• Mesiolingualcusp is largest followed by mesiobuccal  ,then distolingual and then
distobuccal
• Triangular arrangement of the the important cusps(MB DB ML) is called
maxillary molar cusp triangle
• Two major fossa-central fossa and distal fossa
• Two minor fossa- mesial triangular fossa and distal triangular fossa
• Oblique ridge-union of triangular ridge of distobuccal cusp and distal marginal 
of mesiolingual cusp
• Buccal developmental groove-radiates buccally from the bottom of the buccal
sulcus of the central fossa-continuing on the buccal surface of the crown
between the cusps
• Central developmental groove- progress in a mesial direction at and obtuse angle
to the buccal developmental groove
Developmental groove radiates from  the central pit of the
central fossa at an obtuse angulation to the buccal and central
developmental grooves-if it crosses the oblique ridge
transversely –transverse groove of oblique ridge

Developmental groove traversing the distal fossa –distal

oblique groove

Distolingual oblique grove  connects with the Lingual

developmental groove at the junction of the cusp ridges of
the mesiolingual  and  distolingual  cusps
MAXILLARY SECOND
MOLAR
Similar to fist molar ,however it is cervico-occlusally smaller 

BUCCAL AND LINGUAL

SURFACE
Distobuccal cusp is not as well developed
Distolingual cusp smaller
No fifth cusp

Buccal root of same length

Apex of lingual root in line with distolingual cusp tip

MESIAL AND DISTAL
ASPECT
Similar to first molar

Roots do  not spread as far

buccolingually but are within the
confines of the buccolingual crown
outline
OCCLUSAL ASPECT
Rhomboidal

Mesiobuccal and mesiolingual cusp are

large and well developed-distobuccal
and distolingual cusp are small and less
well developed
 MANDIBULAR FIRST MOLAR
• Largest tooth in the mandibular arch
• Dimension of the crown mesiodistally is greater than buccolingually
• Five cusps-
     -Two buccal 
     -Two lingual
     -One distal
• Two well developed roots-
     -Mesial
     -Distal
 BUCCAL ASPECT
• Roughly trapezoidal
• All the five cusps are in view- the buccal cusps and the buccal portion of the
distal cusp
• Two developmental grooves –mesiobuccal developmental groove, and the
distobuccal developmental groove
• Mesiobuccal ,distobuccal and distal cusps are relatively flat 
• Mesiobuccal cusp widest mesiodistally
• Mesial outline-somewhat concave at the cervical third upto its junction  with
convex outline of broad contact area
• Distal outline-straight above the cervical line to its junction with the convex
outline of the distal contact area
• Developmental depression runs mesiodistally just above the
cervical ridge 
• Both roots are wider buccally than lingually and have
developmental depression on both sides of the root
• A deep developmental groove is evident buccally on the root
trunk starts at the bifurcation and progresses cervically
become shallower until it terminates at or immediately above
the cervical line 
Lingual aspect
◦ Two lingual cusps and the lingual portion of the distal cusp
◦ Lingual developmental groove demarcates between the lingual cusp
◦ Mesiolingual cusp is wider and higher  than mesiodistal cusp
◦ Cervical line I irregular and tends to point towards root bifurcation
◦ Bifurcation groove is in line with the root trunk
Mesial aspect
◦ Two cusps and one root is seen –mesiobuccal and mesiolingual and mesial root
◦ Buccolingual measurement of the crown is greater at the mesial portion of both crown and root
◦ Roughly rhomboidal 
◦ Crown has a lingual tilt in relation to the root axis
◦ Lingual cusps are longer
◦ Buccal outline-convex immediately above the cervical line outlining the buccal cervical ridge
and  slightly concave above it
◦ Lingual outline-straight ,starting at the cervical line and joining the lingual curvature at
the middle third and the lingual curvature being pronounced  between the middle third and
the mesiolingual cusp
◦ Mesiobccal cusp located above buccal third of the mesial root
◦ Meiolingual cusp located above lingual third of mesial root
◦  mesial marginal ridge is confluent with the mesial ridges of the mesiobuccal and mesiolingual
cusps
Distal aspect
◦ more of the tooth is seen from the distal aspect, because the crown is shorter
distally than mesially
 OCCLUSAL ASPECT
Hexagonal
Mesiodistally wider than buccolingually

Crown converges lingually from the contact area

one major fossa-central fossa

Two minor fossa-mesial and distal triangular fossa

Developmental grooves-mesiobuccal distobuccal lingual

developmental grooves

All developmental grooves converge in the center of the central

fossa at the central pit
MANDIBULAR SECOND MOLAR
Four cusps-mesiobuccal distbuccal ,mesiolingual and
distolingual

Distobuccal cusp is larger than found in the mandibular

first molar
No distal cusp present

Two well developed roots-mesial and distal-not as broad as

in first molar

BUCCAL AND LINGUAL ASPECT

Dimensionally smaller both buccolingually and
mesiodistally

Buccal developmental grooves –demarcation between

the mesiobuccal and distobuccal cusp

Crown converges lingually

Roots are close together –almost parallel

MESIAL AND DISTAL ASPECT
Similar to mandibular  first molar

Cervical ridge buccally –less

pronounced

Absence of distal cusp

OCCLUSAL ASPECT
Distal cusp not present-hence distobuccal lobe pronounced
No distobuccal developmental groove

Buccal and lingual developmental grooves ae at right

angle with the central pit

Cusp slope are not as smooth –roughened by many

supplemental developmental grooves
More curvature of the outline of crown distally than
mesially-semicircular outline disto-occlusal-square outline
mesial
REFERNCES
◦ Wheeler's Dental Anatomy, Physiology and Occlusion
   Book by Major M. Ash and Stanley Nelson