The molar is a large complicated tooth located in the back of the mouth. It is firmly embedded into the jaw bone and used to grind food before swallowing. Its name comes from the Latin word mola meaning a millstone which was used to grind wheat into flour.

        Humans have twelve molar teeth, three in each quarter of the mouth. The first of these teeth comes up at age 6, the second at age 12 and the third from ages 16 to 25. However, the third molar, also called a wisdom tooth, rarely has enough space in the mouth and usually has to be removed. The upper and lower molar teeth fit together to form a bite. The fit is created by four or five small hills called cusps located on the top of the tooth and opposing hollow areas called fossas located on the crowns of the molar teeth. The cusps fit into the fossas.

        Molar teeth have multiple roots which help anchor them firmly in place. That's why a molar root canal or molar extraction are significantly more involved than other teeth. The dentists at the Atlanta Dental Group PC ( Dr. Padolsky and Dr. Smith ) both provide dental care including the treatment of molar teeth. Please call 404-874-7428 for your appointment.