premolar

Everyday

1. One of the teeth between the pointed canine teeth and the big flat molars at the back of the mouth; premolars have two points and help crush food. tree →
2. (adjective) To do with these teeth. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons about teeth we learn incisors cut, canines tear, premolars and molars crush and grind. Adults have eight premolars; children's milk teeth have no premolars. Phrases: «upper premolar», «lower premolar», «premolars and molars».

Examples

• Premolars sit between your canines and your molars. tree →
• An adult has eight premolars, two on each side of each jaw. tree →
• The dentist said my premolar needs a filling. tree →
• Premolars help to crush food before you swallow. tree →
• Children's milk teeth include molars but no premolars. tree →
• Sometimes premolars are taken out to make room before braces. tree →

Note

Countable: a premolar, premolars. In the USA they are also called «bicuspids» (two points). Count for maths: 8 premolars in a full set of 32 adult teeth (8 incisors, 4 canines, 8 premolars, 12 molars). Myth: children's back milk teeth are molars, not premolars.