Which molar is likely to have three buccal cusps?

The molar that is likely to have three buccal cusps is the mandibular first molar. This tooth typically features five cusps in total, with three of them being located on the buccal aspect. Specifically, the three buccal cusps are the mesiobuccal, distobuccal, and the small fifth cusp known as the distal cusp.

The anatomy of the mandibular first molar is characterized by its larger size and complex occlusal pattern, which is designed to handle significant chewing forces. The presence of the three buccal cusps helps to provide a broader occlusal surface for effective food grinding, distinguishing it from other molars that do not have the same buccal cusp configuration.

In contrast, while other molars such as the maxillary first and second certainly have cusps, their arrangement and number differ. For example, the maxillary first molar typically has four major cusps—two buccal (mesiobuccal and distobuccal) and two lingual—but not three buccal cusps. The mandibular second molar usually has a similar cusp arrangement to the first but may lack the additional finer cusp structure seen in the mandibular first