Month: April 2021

Our teeth structure is categorized into four different types wherein each type serves a particular purpose for chewing and eating. One of the types is Molars divided into the upper and lower jaw. Maxillary molars are located in the upper jaw while Mandibular molars are placed in the lower jaw. This article will discuss the two in detail including the difference between them along with the different types of teeth. 

Types of Teeth

Let’s begin with understanding the types of teeth first. It will allow you to understand the overall context better. Our jaw has four different types of teeth namely – 

• Incisors: They are the front-most teeth used for cutting food. An adult normally has 8 incisors in adults including four in the upper jaw and four in the lower jaw.
• Canines: Located on each side of the lateral incisors, canines are slightly pointed teeth. They are also called cuspids because of their extended length and pointed shape. Canines are also known as eye teeth as they sit directly below the eye sockets. An adult generally has 4 canines. 
• Premolars: The teeth located between the canines and the molars in the back of the mouth are known as premolars. They are sometimes referred to as bicuspids because of two pointed cusps on their biting surface. The premolars guide food from the canines to the molars in the back for chewing and that’s why they are considered as transitional teeth. An adult normally has 8 premolars. 
• Molars: Molars are placed in the back of your mouth and are used to grind food. There are 6 molars each in the upper and lower jaw and three molars on either side of the jaw. A typical adult has 12 molars including 4 wisdom teeth. Molars are the largest teeth and designed for chewing, grinding, and clenching. Molars have 3 roots, 2 buccal, and 1 lingual. The main role of molars include maintenance of the vertical dimension of the face, and help to keep other teeth in proper alignment. 

Maxillary Molars

Maxillary molars are the 6 molars on the maxillary (upper) arch or jaw. The molars have four well formed cusps, two buccal and two lingual cusps and one supplemental cusp of little practical use known as cusp of carabelli. one buccal groove, and 3 roots with tripod arrangement that enhance the anchorage in the alveolar bone. 

The geometric form of the maxillary molars is a trapezoid in lingual view. They are rhomboids with 2 acute and 2 obtuse angles in occlusal view. The buccal surface is comparatively vertical. One of the characteristics of the maxillary molars is the presence of the oblique ridge on the occlusal surface. 

Mandibular Molars

The 6 molars on the lower arch are known as Mandibular molars. The molars have two buccal grooves on the first molar and a single buccal groove on the second and third molar. They have two roots and no oblique ridge. 

The geometric form of the mandibular molars is trapezoid in the buccal view while in the proximal view, they are rhomboid. These teeth carry the mesiodistal width that is much greater than the crown height. The buccal cups are blunt and often word down. 

Difference between Maxillary and Mandibular Molars

The difference between Maxillary and Mandibular molars can be observed through their characteristics that are – Buccal cups, Buccal groove, Number of roots, Root trunk, Cervix of crown, Cusp of Carabelli, Crow, Oblique ridge, Transverse ridge, and Fossae. 

The following table highlights the difference between the two:

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The desire to own a captivating smile with sparkly white teeth is common and very justified. But, the journey towards a pearly white set of teeth may be perilous as dental care can be tricky. The little mistakes, if prolonged, can do a lot of harm. One menace that hampers the dental hygiene of a lot of people is tartar. Well, tartar which is alternately known as calculus, is a rough and porous mineral buildup on the teeth. Tartar is formed when dental plaque stays and is hardened on the teeth.  Tartar is a common dental problem, and research shows that approximately 68 per cent of adults have tartar to some degree. Children, old people, smokers and people with dry mouth are more susceptible to suffer from tartar. There are a variety of methods to remove tartar and let us look at some of them.

1. The best way to remove already existing hardened tartar on teeth is by seeking dental care. Dentists or dental hygienists use a special technique called scaling to remove hardened tartar from the teeth and below the gumline.
2. Regularly flossing is another viable method to remove tartar. Although flossing may seem like a laborious task, it does wonder in removing tartar and food particles from your mouth.
3. Since tartar is caused by the buildup of plaque, brushing teeth twice a day is a simple and effective solution to remove tartar.
4. Using a toothpaste tube with fluoride crucial. It is that Holy Grail ingredient that strengthens teeth enamel and reverses acid damage. Fluoride re-mineralizes the tooth enamel, which will prevent plaque formation, thereby reducing the risk of tartar.
5. Tartar-control toothpaste is important as they contain chemicals, compounds and antibiotics to destroy plague and prevent tartar buildup.
6. Baking soda is an effective remedy to remove tartar. You can mix baking soda with your toothpaste once a week to fight tartar buildup.
7. A dental scaler or scraper is another technique to remove hardened tartar.

Tartar and its negative trail

Tartar is the clear sign of poor dental health and is the starting stage for other severe gum and teeth problems. Tartar is yellowish-brown in colour and is not a very pleasant sight. Tartar provides dental plaque with more surface area to stick inside the mouth; this, in turn, leads to more bacteria and more tartar, and the vicious cycle continues. Also, hardened tartar can make brushing and floss very difficult. The fact that hardened tartar on the teeth fosters bacteria may lead to cavities and tooth decay. Tartar is porous and thus absorbs extrinsic stains of coffee, cigarettes, etc., more quickly. Hence, external teeth staining can become more prominent due to tartar. Lastly, tartar is not only formed on the teeth but also below the gum line and may result in receding gums and gum disease.

Getting professional cleaning done is the optimal way to tackle tartar formation. As we can see that tartar is a result of negligence in dental care, the more prudent route is to be smart and take necessary precautions beforehand. Following a good oral regimen is the best method to keep teeth and gum problems at bay.

PFA – In case of problems or discomfort related to teeth and gums, please visit your nearest dentists at the earliest.

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