Maxillary first molar

Study entry

Location

Socket of the alveolar process of the maxilla, behind the second premolar.

Structure

The crown is square, with four main cusps (mesiovestibular, distovestibular, mesiopalatal and distopalatal), joined by an oblique ridge. In some people there is also a small fifth cusp, the tubercle of Carabelli, on the palatal surface. It has three roots, two vestibular and one palatal, the largest; the mesiovestibular usually has two canals. It erupts at about 6 to 7 years, behind the last milk tooth («six-year molar»).

Neighborhood

The vestibular roots lie very close to the floor of the maxillary sinus and can raise it.

Blood supply

Posterior superior alveolar artery, branch of the maxillary; the veins accompany the artery.

Innervation

Superior dental plexus, formed by the posterior superior alveolar branches of the maxillary nerve (CN V2).

Lymphatics

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

Clinical

It is the first permanent tooth to appear and, for this reason, very often affected by caries. In extraction, the proximity of the sinus can open an oroantral communication.

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 second molar
• Maxillary third molar
• Mandibular central incisor