The molars (Latin: dentes molares) are the most distal or simply the last teeth in every jaw. They are located at the back of the oral cavity. Adults have a set of twelve molar teeth. Each jaw contains six molars, and, therefore, every quadrant has three molars.

The crown of the molars is cuboid-shaped. It is convex on the buccal and lingual / palatal surfaces while flattened on the contact surfaces (mesial and distal). The occlusal surface of each molar tooth is square-shaped, and it contains four or five cusps.

The maxillary molars usually present with five cusps on their occlusal surface, while the mandibular molars have four cusps. There is also a difference in root count depending on the molar tooth type. The maxillary molars have three roots, while the mandibular molars present with only two.

The molar teeth provide food grinding and crushing.

The last molar teeth found on every side of the maxillae and mandible are called the wisdom teeth. These teeth are also the last teeth that erupt; for some people, it does not happen at all during their lifetime.

Note: The 3D model lacks the third molars. The Universal Tooth Numbering System for secondary dentition is used for molar teeth numbering in the 3D model. Find out what it is and which are the two other commonly used systems in the article about the dental notation systems!