Maxillary first premolar

Study entry

Location

Socket of the alveolar process of the maxilla, behind the canine.

Structure

It has two cusps, vestibular (larger) and palatal, joined by a central groove. The root is single in half the cases; in the other half it divides in two, vestibular and palatal, usually with two canals. It erupts at about 10 to 11 years.

Neighborhood

It lies between the canine and the second premolar; the apex is below the maxillary sinus.

Blood supply

Anterior and posterior superior alveolar arteries (branches of the maxillary, directly or through the infra-orbital), which anastomose; the veins accompany the arteries.

Innervation

Superior dental plexus, formed by the middle superior alveolar branch (CN V2), when present.

Lymphatics

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

Clinical

When it has two thin roots, they can fracture in extraction. The mesial surface has a concavity that makes cleaning difficult and favors caries and periodontal disease.

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 second premolar
• Maxillary first molar
• Maxillary second molar
• Maxillary third molar
• Mandibular central incisor