Human Teeth Model, Triple Root Molar

Quick Answer: The human teeth model, triple root molar, is a model of a molar tooth with three roots, the arrangement normally found on upper (maxillary) first and second molars. Dental and biology teachers use a triple root molar model to show molar crown form, how the roots divide and, on sectioned versions, the pulp and root canals.

Three Roots and What They Tell You

Upper molars are held in the maxilla, a less dense bone than the mandible, and they usually anchor with three roots: two on the cheek side, called the mesiobuccal and distobuccal roots, and a longer palatal root angled towards the roof of the mouth. The three spread like the legs of a tripod from a shared root trunk. Lower molars normally have two roots, one towards the front and one towards the back, so a three-rooted model is a quick way to teach students to tell an upper molar from a lower one.

The crown of an upper first molar typically has four main cusps, with a diagonal ridge, the oblique ridge, joining the mesiopalatal and distobuccal cusps. Many also carry a small extra cusp on the palatal side, the cusp of Carabelli. On a model at teaching size these features can be traced with a probe while students compare them with a lower molar or a premolar.

Where the model is sectioned or has a removable part, the inside shows enamel, dentine, the pulp chamber and a canal running into each root. Endodontic teaching uses this layout because the mesiobuccal root of an upper first molar often holds a second canal, known as MB2, which is easily missed during root canal treatment. Whether this model is solid or sectioned, and its scale, are not stated in the title.

Applications

• Dental morphology classes on identifying upper molars by their root pattern
• Explaining root canal anatomy, including the extra canal often found in the mesiobuccal root
• Comparing upper and lower molars side by side with a two-rooted or single-rooted lower molar model
• Discussing why upper molar roots can lie close to the floor of the maxillary sinus

Specifications

Care & Handling

• Hold the triple root molar model by the crown rather than by a single root; the spreading roots are the part most likely to snap if the model is dropped or levered.
• Clean it with a slightly damp cloth and dry it, keeping solvents and alcohol wipes away from painted pulp and canal areas.
• Store it in a padded box or on its stand so the root tips do not rest on a hard shelf.

Why Choose LabEquip

Dental schools and dental hygiene programmes buy single-tooth models like this to teach morphology before students handle extracted teeth. The triple root molar sits in LabEquip’s biology lab products, and the lower molar with one root makes a useful contrast; to ask about scale or a sectioned version, use the contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which teeth normally have three roots?

Upper first and second molars usually have three roots: mesiobuccal, distobuccal and palatal. Upper third molars (wisdom teeth) vary more and their roots are often fused. Upper first premolars commonly have two roots, and three-rooted premolars are uncommon.

How can I tell an upper molar from a lower molar?

Count the roots. Upper molars usually have three, including one on the palatal side, while lower molars usually have two. The crowns differ as well: upper molar crowns are wider from cheek to palate, while lower molar crowns are longer from front to back.

What is the MB2 canal?

It is a second canal in the mesiobuccal root of an upper molar, most often the first molar. It is narrow and hidden under a ledge of dentine, so dentists use magnification to find it. An untreated MB2 canal is a common reason for root canal treatment to fail.

Why do upper molar roots matter for the maxillary sinus?

Their tips can sit very close to, or project into, the floor of the sinus. Infection at a root tip can spread into the sinus, and an extraction can occasionally open a passage between the mouth and the sinus, so dentists check this relationship on X-rays first.

What is the cusp of Carabelli?

It is a small extra cusp found on the palatal side of many upper first molars, towards the front of the tooth. It ranges from a faint groove or pit to a distinct cusp and plays little part in chewing, but it is a classic identification feature in dental anatomy examinations.

Is this model suitable for school biology?

Yes, at a simpler level. Secondary school students can use it to see that teeth have roots hidden in the jaw and that molars are shaped for grinding, while dental students use the same model for detailed root and canal anatomy.

Last Updated: September 2026