THE CROWN CONTACT AREAS MESIAL Is at about the junction of the middle and occlusal thirds. DISTAL Is at the center of the middle third. Prof. A. Elsahn BUCCAL ASPECT THE ROOTS The root trunk is short (but slightly longer than on lower first molar). There is a depression on the root trunk from the cervical line to the bifurcation. mesio-buccal is usually wider. M D The buccal developmental groove separates the two buccal cusps, and it may end in a pit on the middle of the buccal surface. Completion of roots 14 – 15 years Prof. A. Elsahn GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS This molar is the seventh tooth from the middle line. o It has four cusps. Its disto-buccal cusp is larger than that found in the lower first molar. outline: cervical line to the mesial contact area. Distal Is convex from the cervical outline: line to the distal contact area. Prof. A. Elsahn BUCCAL ASPECT The cervical ridge is less pronounced than on the first molars in most instances, but a prominent bulge cervically on the mesio-buccal cusp is common. Prof. A. Elsahn B 12 7 6 5 4 3 12 B The crown is usually M 3 4 D smaller than the first L molar in the same mouth. D L Prof. A. Elsahn GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS B D M L There is only one buccal groove. DESCRIPTIVE ANATOMY OF MANDIBULAR SECOND MOLAR Prof. A. Elsahn CHRONOLOGY Initial calcification 2½ – 3 years Completion of crown 7 – 8 years Eruption 11 – 13 years OCCLUSAL OUTLINE M D The two buccal cusps (mesio-buccal and disto-buccal) and the tips of the two lingual cusps (mesio-lingual and Hale Waihona Puke disto-lingual) are visible from the buccal side because the lingual cusps are slightly longer. Prof. A. Elsahn BUCCAL ASPECT THE CROWN The two buccal cusps are about equal mesio-distally but the GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS The root trunk is slightly longer than on the first molar. The roots are as long (or may be longer), less broad bucco-lingually than on the first molar and are less widely separated or more parallel. Prof. A. Elsahn BUCCAL ASPECT O O THE CROWN D C M C D As in the first molar,the crown is much larger mesiodistally than cervico-occlusally. The crown appears to be wider at the cervix than the first molar (less taper toward the cervix below the contact areas), due to absence of a distal cusp. Prof. A. Elsahn BUCCAL ASPECT THE CROWN M D Mesial Is nearly straight from the Prof. A. Elsahn BUCCAL ASPECT THE CROWN CERVICAL LINE It is nearly straight. It may point sharply toward the root bifurcation. Prof. A. Elsahn BUCCAL ASPECT THE CROWN Both contact areas are at slightly lower level, especially in the distal area than those of the first molar. Prof. A. Elsahn BUCCAL ASPECT THE CROWN