Variations in the Cusps of Mandibular Molars in Koreans

This study aimed to investigate the cusp size and morphological characteristics of permanent mandibular molars in Koreans with reference to the hypoconulid, and to analyze the differences and correlations between both sexes as well as between first and second mandibular molars. We obtained data from dental casts of 110 adults (78 males and 32 females). Mesiodistal and buccolingual diameters of first and second mandibular molars, the area of five cusps (protoconid, metaconid, hypoconid, entoconid, and hypoconulid), as well as the total cusp area and occlusal table area were measured. Paired t-test was performed to analyze the morphological differences between first and second mandibular molars and the sex differences between both sexes using SPSS program. Crown diameters and cusp areas of mandibular first molars were larger than those of mandibular second molars in both sexes. The hypoconulid was the most variable in size and morphological pattern among the five cusps, and the first molars showed a higher incidence of hypoconulid than the second molars. Except for the entoconid area of the first molar (p=0.06) and the hypoconulid area of the second molar (p=0.24), all other mean values were larger in males than in females, demonstrating a significant sexual dimorphism. These data suggest that the teeth which develop late in ontogeny tend to be smaller in size and more variable in morphological characteristics.