Mandibular second molar

Study entry

Location

Socket of the alveolar part of the mandible, behind the first molar.

Structure

Smaller than the first. It has four cusps, arranged in a cross, and two roots (mesial and distal), which sometimes fuse and leave a C-shaped canal. It erupts at about 12 years.

Neighborhood

It lies just in front of the third molar, at the transition to the ramus of the mandible.

Blood supply

Inferior alveolar artery, branch of the maxillary, which runs in the mandibular canal and gives a branch to each root; the veins accompany the artery.

Innervation

Inferior dental plexus, formed by the inferior alveolar nerve (CN V3), which runs in the mandibular canal.

Lymphatics

The lymphatic vessels of the tooth and gum drain mainly into the submandibular lymph nodes.

Clinical

The C-shaped canal is difficult to clean in endodontic treatment. It is often damaged by retention of the third molar, which pushes against it.

Source: cap. 8, «Dientes»; tabla 8-13 B (erupción de los dientes permanentes)

Other structures in this region

• Maxillary central incisor
• Maxillary lateral incisor
• Maxillary canine
• Maxillary first premolar
• Maxillary second premolar
• Maxillary first molar
• Maxillary second molar
• Maxillary third molar