Relationship of Tooth Size to Cusp Number and Groove Conformation of Occlusal Surface Patterns of Lower Molar Teeth

Abstract

The assumption that 4 cusped lower molar occlusal surface pattern variation is correlated with size is shown to be correct by application of the X2 test in a population of New Britain Melanesians. The 4 cusped lower molar teeth are smaller in their mesiodistal dimension than 5 cusped teeth, assuming that they are from a population having a common genetic background.