What does premolar mean?
A premolar is one of the teeth located between the canine teeth and the molars in the human jaw. Adults normally have four premolars in each jaw, making eight in total: two first premolars and two second premolars. Their cusps help crush and grind food, working alongside the larger molars behind them. Although premolars are named for their position before the molars, their name also echoes their form: the first premolars commonly have one prominent cusp, while the second premolars usually have two. The term is most common in dentistry, anatomy, and discussions of dental development, including the identification of cavities, fractures, wear, and orthodontic treatment. In general anatomy, premolars may also refer to the corresponding teeth in other mammals, although the number and shape vary by species.
nounA premolar is any of the four pairs of teeth in each human jaw that are located between the canine teeth and the molars. Premolars have one or two cusps and are used for crushing and grinding food.
- One of the four pairs of teeth situated between the canine teeth and the molars in each jaw.
"The dentist examined the patient's second premolar after the tooth became sensitive."
"The dentist recommended a filling for the cracked lower premolar."
"Premolars are important for breaking food into smaller pieces before it reaches the molars."
The plural is used when referring to several premolar teeth in one or more jaws.
"The X-ray showed that both upper premolars had small cavities."
Premolars are the teeth immediately in front of the grinding molars, combining a pointed cusp with a broader crushing surface.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does premolar come from?
The word combines the Latin prefix prae-, meaning “before,” with a form related to molar, the tooth positioned farther back in the jaw. The underlying root is the Latin molāre, meaning “to grind,” and molaris, “of a mill” or “grinding,” which also gave rise to molar. The use of premolar developed as a positional name for the teeth between the canines and molars.
Related word forms
How premolar is actually used
The term is primarily used in dentistry, anatomy, and zoology. In everyday speech, people are more likely to refer to a specific tooth by its position, such as a wisdom tooth, than by the name premolar.
Easily confused with premolar
Premolars lie between the canine teeth and the molars, whereas molars are the larger back teeth used primarily for crushing and grinding food.