Mongoloid features of the permanent mandibular second molar in Singaporean Chinese

The permanent mandibular second molar is usually described as four-cusped, two placed buccally and two lingually. It has been reported that five-cusp forms were more commonly present in dentitions of mongoloid origin. The prevalence and features of this tooth form were examined in a Singaporean sample of 380 subjects with bilateral presence of the mandibular second molars. One-hundred and sixty four cases (43.1 per cent) were found to have bilateral occurrence of five-cusp forms and thirty-four cases (8.9 per cent) with unilateral occurrence. Six-cusp forms were detected in three cases. There was almost equal prevalence in both sexes and both sides were equally involved in unilateral cases. The extra cusp was smallest, placed disto-buccally and sometimes midway at the distal border. The occlusal outline of five-cusp second molars was rectangular with a somewhat similar groove pattern to the first molar. There was an increase in the mesio-distal width of the crown. The high incidence was comparable with other studies of mongoloid dentitions and it could be considered as an important morphological and racial characteristic of the Singaporean Chinese.