Premolar: meaning, definitions and examples

Anatomy

• Humans typically have eight premolars, with two on each side of the upper and lower jaws.
• Premolars are larger than canines but smaller than molars and have a flat surface for grinding food.
• They help in breaking down the food into smaller pieces before it reaches the molars for further chewing.

Etymology

• The term 'premolar' comes from the Latin 'praemolares', where 'prae' means 'before' and 'molares' refers to 'molars.'
• The word was first used in the mid-19th century as dentistry evolved and new terminologies were established.
• Etymology reveals that these teeth pave the way before the final stages of chewing with molars.

Evolution

• Premolars in humans evolved to adapt to an omnivorous diet, allowing for a variety of food processing.
• In some animals, such as herbivores, premolars have adapted into more specialized grinding surfaces for plant material.
• Fossil records indicate that the design and number of premolars can vary significantly across different species over time.

Health

• Dental health heavily relies on proper care of premolars, as they can be prone to cavities if neglected.
• Orthodontic treatments often consider the position and health of premolars when aligning teeth.
• Premolars play a role in overall oral health; issues with them can lead to bite problems affecting other teeth.

Pop Culture

• In several TV shows and movies, characters often go through braces or dental work that highlights the importance of premolars.
• Some dentists even use unique terminology for premolar issues that have become part of popular vernacular regarding dental health.
• The tooth fairy in various children's stories sometimes highlights premolars as they get lost during childhood.