Dental Assistant Practice Exam

Where can cusps typically be found?

1. On the biting surfaces of posterior teeth

2. On incisors only

3. On the roots of teeth

4. Only on canines

The correct answer is: On the biting surfaces of posterior teeth

Cusps are the pointed or rounded projections found on the biting surfaces of posterior teeth, such as molars and premolars. These cusps play a crucial role in the chewing process, providing the necessary structure to crush and grind food effectively. In particular, posterior teeth are designed with multiple cusps to maximize their ability to break down food during mastication. While incisors, canines, and roots of teeth may have other significant features, they do not possess cusps in the same way posterior teeth do. Incisors are primarily flat-edged for cutting, canines have a single pointed cusp but are not as complex as the cusps on posterior teeth, and teeth roots are not associated with the chewing surface at all. Thus, the presence of cusps is specifically characteristic of posterior teeth, confirming that they are found on the biting surfaces of these types of teeth.