A Complete presentation explaining the complete morphology of Maxillary first molar, for the benefit of people like me who tried and failed to find everything in one package
2. INTRODUCTION
The Permanent Maxillary First Molar
 The maxillary first molar is
the tooth located laterally (away
from the midline of the face) from
both the maxillary second
premolars of the mouth but mesial
(toward the midline of the face)
from both maxillary second molars.
 The function of this molar is similar
to that of all molars in regard to
grinding being the principal action
during mastication, commonly
known as chewing.
5. BUCCAL ASPECT
The Buccal Aspect
ï‚› Trapezoidal shape
ï‚› Parts of all 4 cusps visible
ï‚› Portion of distal surface can be seen
because of the obtuse distopalatal
line angle
ï‚› Mesiobuccal cusp larger of the
buccal cusps
ï‚› Has a prominent buccal groove that
continues over from the occlusal
surface
ï‚› Proximal contact areas in middle
third
ï‚› All three roots are visible, palatal root
centered between buccal roots
7. PALATAL ASPECT
Palatal Aspect
ï‚› Outlines reversed from the
buccal aspect, still trapezoidal.
ï‚› Mesiopalatal largest cusp
ï‚› Distopalatal smallest cusp,
almost spheroidal
ï‚› Has a palatal pit at the end of
the distopalatal groove
ï‚› There may be a cusp on the
palatal surface of the
mesiopalatal cusp.
ï‚› This is a fifth cusp called the
cusp of Carabelli, which is visible
in addition to the four cusps on
the occlusal surface
9. MESIAL ASPECT
Mesial Aspect
ï‚› Mesiobuccal and mesiopalatal
and fifth cusps visible.
ï‚› Mesial marginal ridge confluent
with the mesiobuccal,
mesiopalatal cusp ridges and
curved cervically
ï‚› The contact area at the junction
of the middle and occlusal third,
closer to the buccal aspect
ï‚› Shallow concavity just below the
contact area
ï‚› Cervical line irregular and curves
occlusally
11. DISTAL ASPECT
Distal Aspect
ï‚› Basic outlines reverse from
mesial aspect
ï‚› Distobuccal and
distopalatal cusps are seen
ï‚› Marginal ridge dips sharply
cervically
ï‚› More of occlusal surface
seen because of distal tilt
of crown.
ï‚› Cervical line almost straight
13. OCCLUSAL ASPECT
Occlusal Aspect
ï‚› Roughly rhomboidal shape
ï‚› Crown mesially and palatally
wider than distally and buccally
ï‚› Intersection of mesial and buccal
surfaces form acute angle
ï‚› Three largest cusps form a
triangle
ï‚› Distopalatal least developed
cusp
ï‚› Pronounced oblique ridge from
the distobuccal to the
mesiopalatal cusp
ï‚› Three occlusal fossae: mesial,
central, and distal
14. OCCLUSAL ASPECT
Occlusal Aspect
ï‚› Cusp size:
- Mesiopalatal: largest
- Mesiobuccal
- Distobuccal
- Distopalatal: smallest Oblique Ridge
ï‚› Ridges:
- Mesial and distal marginal ridges and oblique ridge
ï‚› Fossae:
- Major: Central and Distal fossa
- Minor: Mesial and distal triangular
ï‚› Grooves:
- Central, buccal and palatal developmental groove Transverse Ridge
- Distal oblique groove
- Transverse groove
- Fifth cusp groove
- Supplemental grooves
ï‚› Pit:
- Central Pit
Fossae and Pits Sulci and Depressions
16. THE ROOT
The Root
ï‚› Maxillary first molar has three roots; 2
buccal , 1 Palatal
ï‚› Palatal root is long and slender
ï‚› Mesiobuccal root broader, curves distally.
ï‚› Distobuccal root narrow at base and a lot
straighter
ï‚› Buccal roots are of equal size, smaller than
the palatal root
ï‚› Level of bifurcation closer to the cervical
line mesially than distally