View example sentences, synonyms and word forms for Premolar.
Premolar meaning
A tooth located in front of the molars, especially the bicuspid tooth between the cuspids and molars in humans.
Example sentences (8)
Carnivorans all share the same arrangement of teeth in which the last upper premolar (named P4) and the first lower molar (named m1) have blade-like enamel crowns that work together as carnassial teeth to shear meat.
Sometimes, a "bit seat" is filed in the first premolar, where the surface is rounded so that the flesh of the cheek is not pushed into the sharp edge of the tooth, making riding more comfortable for the horse, although the practice is controversial.
The animal's dentition consists of the incisors and cheek teeth (a single premolar and four molars on each jaw), which are separated by a large gap (a characteristic feature of herbivorous mammals).
The first premolar is usually absent, and they also have a very distinct long and slim skull with well-developed occipital and sagittal crests to support the enlarged jaw muscles.
The premolar and first molar together compose the carnassial pair on each side of the mouth, which efficiently shears meat into small pieces, like a pair of scissors.
The upper third premolar and lower molar are adapted as carnassial teeth, suited to tearing and cutting flesh.
They also developed an enlarged blade-like lower premolar.
They may also make it difficult during equine dentistry work to rasp the second premolar, and are frequently removed.