Month: August 2021

We can divide the human teeth structure into four types where each type serves a specific aspect of eating and chewing. One of the teeth types is molars which are divided into upper molars and lower molars. Maxillary molars are present in the upper jaw, whereas mandibular molars exist in the lower jaw.

Maxillary molars are different from mandibular molars in many ways, starting from their size to the number of roots in the molars. In this blog, we will scrutinize the differences between maxillary and mandibular molars.

What are Molars?

Molars are placed at the back of your teeth structure, and their primary purpose is the grinding of food. A typical adult has a total of 12 molars, six each in upper and lower jaws. There are three molars on each section of our jaws. These molars include four wisdom teeth. Molars are the largest amongst all teeth, and they help us clench, chew and grind food. There are three roots present in molars, two are buccal, and one is lingual. One of the primary roles of molars is to maintain our face’s vertical dimension and help keep our other teeth aligned.

About Maxillary Molars

The six molars on the upper jaw form the maxillary molars. These molars have four well-formed cusps (2 buccal and two lingual) and one supplemental cusp called the cusp of carabelli. The supplemental cusp has very little practical use. These molars have one buccal groove and three roots. These roots form a tripod arrangement to provide better anchorage in the alveolar bone.

About Mandibular Molars

The six molars on the lower jaw constitute the mandibular molars. The first molar has two buccal grooves, while the second and third molars have only one buccal groove. These molars have no oblique ridge and two roots.

What Makes Maxillary molars Different from Mandibular Molars

The following characteristics separate the maxillary and mandibular molars: buccal grooves, buccal cusps, root trunk, number of roots, the cusp of carabelli, cervix of the crown, oblique ridge, crow, fossae, and transverse ridges.

You can find the differences in detail in the table given below:

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When you experience a cracked tooth or weakness due to decay, your dentist can make use of a dental crown. These dental crowns protect the weak tooth from breaking and help to rebuild a tooth, which was getting destroyed due to plaque. These dental crowns act like caps for these weak teeth, guarding them and fitting snugly on the teeth. Usually, these dental crowns are made up of an amalgamated composition of dental ceramic or porcelain, gold alloy or a mixture of both. 

Dental crowns are designed in a manner that ensures each of them are personalised and match the shape of the tooth it will be fitted in. Once the dentist fits these dental crowns they get placed there permanently. Apart from protecting the teeth from further damage and catalysing the healing of cracks, they also enhance the look of the teeth. 

As you might have already faced accumulation of plaque and cavities, you’d probably be thinking whether your dental crowns get cavities or not. These dental crowns are made up of synthetic material and a mixture that is made for protection. 

Hence, it is natural to think that they can never have any disqualifications like getting a cavity. However, it is crucial to remember that crowns are placed on the tooth that can certainly get cavities. This means that you can get cavities or tooth decay below the crown as cavities cannot occur above them. 

Causes for cavity below the dental crown

Plaque: The reason why you can get a tooth decay or cavity below your dental crown is because of the formation of plaque. Usually, the plaque gets accumulated at the gums of the teeth and starts spreading if not cleaned. The plaque can even spread and form at the gap and juncture between the crown and the tooth. If the plaque gets accumulated in the margin and is not removed, it will lead to a cavity eventually.

Not maintaining oral hygiene: If you do not maintain proper oral hygiene after consumption of foods and beverages like wine, coffee, berries, pomegranates then they can severely affect the teeth causing formation of plaque. Hence, to ensure there is no plaque formation, proper cleansing, rinsing, and care for teeth is important. You must floss and brush your teeth regularly to maintain your oral hygiene. This is the only way you can stop dental crowns from getting cavities. 

Although dental crowns will not get cavities, it is essential for you to take care of the teeth below it. They will be prone to decay and cavities if the habits of eating and oral hygiene are not followed properly. Hence, go for regular dentist check ups once in three to six months. This will help the doctor diagnose cavity formation or decay in the crowned tooth. 

Your dentist can make you undergo X-rays to detect what is occurring beneath the crown. Hence, if you feel pain in your tooth after the crown and are skeptical whether it is a cavity or not – it is best that you consult a professional.

Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!