Premolar: meaning, definitions and examples
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premolar
[ priˈmoʊlər ]
dentistry dental
A premolar is a type of tooth located between the canine and molar teeth in the human mouth. It typically has a flat biting surface with one or two cusps, which help in tearing and crushing food. Humans usually have eight premolars, with four located in the upper jaw and four in the lower jaw. Premolars are essential for proper chewing and are closely linked to overall dental health.
Synonyms
bicuspids, posterior teeth
Examples of usage
- The dentist examined my premolars for cavities.
- Children lose their primary molars and replace them with premolars.
- Premolars help in grinding food before swallowing.
Translations
Translations of the word "premolar" in other languages:
🇵🇹 pré-molar
🇮🇳 प्रीमोलर
🇩🇪 Prämolar
🇮🇩 premolar
🇺🇦 премоляр
🇵🇱 premolar
🇯🇵 プレモーラー
🇫🇷 prémolaire
🇪🇸 premolar
🇹🇷 premolar
🇰🇷 프리몰러
🇸🇦 ضرس سابق
🇨🇿 premolár
🇸🇰 premolár
🇨🇳 前磨牙
🇸🇮 premolar
🇮🇸 premolar
🇰🇿 премоляр
🇬🇪 პრემოლარი
🇦🇿 premolar
🇲🇽 premolar
Etymology
The term 'premolar' originates from the Latin word 'praemolaris', which means 'before the molars'. The prefix 'pre-' indicates the positional relationship of these teeth to the molars, signifying that premolars are situated anteriorly to the molars. The usage of the term in modern dentistry reflects the development of oral anatomy knowledge from ancient civilizations, which made initial observations about teeth. The distinction between different types of teeth became clearer in the 19th century as dentistry evolved, with a recognition of the functionality of premolars as transitional teeth that play a crucial role in both tearing and grinding food. The importance of premolars has been emphasized over time, highlighting their functional significance in the dental arch.