Buccal

• From the buccal aspect, mandibular third molars vary considerably in outline. At the same time, they all have certain characteristics in common.
• The outline of the crowns from this aspect is in a general way that of all mandibular molars.
• The crown is wider at contact areas mesiodistally than at the cervix, the buccal cusps are short and rounded, and the crest of contour mesially and distally is located a little more than half the distance from the cervical line to the tips of the cusps.
• The type of third molar, which is more likely to be in fair alignment and in good occlusion with other teeth, is the four-cusp type; this is smaller and shows two buccal cusps only from this aspect
• The average third molar also shows two roots, one mesial and one distal. These roots are usually shorter, with a poorer development generally, than the roots of first or second molars, and their distal inclination in relation to the occlusal plane of the crown is greater.
• The roots may be separated with a definite point of bifurcation, or they may be fused for all or part of their length.