The Open Anthropology Journal
2010, 3 : 16-19Published online 2010 January 20. DOI: 10.2174/1874912701003010016
Publisher ID: TOANTHJ-3-16
Molar Cusps in Southern Chinese
2/F, Orthodontics, Prince
Philip Dental Hospital, 34 Hospital Road, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong
ABSTRACT
Aim:
To investigate the number of molar cusps of the Southern Chinese and compare these with studies in different populations.
Materials and Methods:
The number of molar cusps of study casts of an unselected sample from a 12 year old Hong Kong Oral Health Survey of 12 year old children (n=459; 295 boys and 164 girls) were studied.
Results:
For upper first molars, 5-cusp molars were the most prevalent in males (39%) while 4-cusp molars were the most prevalent in females (39%). For lower first molars, 5-cusp molars were the most prevalent in both sexes (63%-72%). For lower second molars, 5-cusp molars were the most prevalent in both sexes (43%-53%).
Conclusion:
Different from traditionally described, the Southern Chinese has more 5-cusp lower second molars than the 4- cusp ones.