The molars are the large back teeth, three in each quarter of the adult mouth, with broad crowns carrying four or five cusps. Upper molars usually have three roots (two cheek-side and one palatal) and lower molars two (front and back). The first permanent molar erupts around age 6 and is often called the six-year molar.
| Location | Back of both dental arches, behind the premolars |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Posterior superior alveolar nerve, with the middle superior alveolar nerve to part of the first molar (upper); Inferior alveolar nerve (lower) |
| Blood Supply | Posterior superior alveolar artery (upper); Inferior alveolar artery (lower) |
| Venous drainage |
|
| Lymphatic drainage |
|
Grind and crush food into small particles and bear most of the force of chewing.
The roots of upper molars sit close to the floor of the maxillary sinus, so extraction can open a hole into the sinus (oroantral communication) and dental infection can cause sinusitis on one side. The root tips of lower second and third molars lie below the mylohyoid line, so infection from them spreads into the submandibular space. The deep grooves on molar chewing surfaces are protected in children by fissure sealants.
Opening between the mouth and maxillary sinus after removal of an upper molar, causing fluid to pass into the nose and risk of sinus infection.
Infection of the maxillary sinus spreading from an upper molar or premolar root, usually affecting one side only.
Spread of pus from a lower molar into the space under the mandible, causing swelling below the jaw and difficulty opening the mouth.
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