Cusp of Carabelli: Observations of an Odontogenic Trait

The “Cusp of Carabelli” (COC) is a non-functioning, accessory cusp positioned on the mesiopalatal surface of permanent maxillary molars, predominately first molars and primary second molars. This supplemental cusp has been studied for several hundred years regarding size ranges, ethnic and racial distributions and genetic and/or environmental etiologies. The content of this report will explore the historical significance and specific terminologies applied to this unique cusp; as well as the morphogenesis, classification, incidence and frequency occurrences among human populations. Although the COC has been relegated to a sometimes obscure morphological curiosity or distantly studied trait characteristic of the human dentition/s, interestingly its existence could speculatively be associated with accessory internal tissue contents, carious lesion formation and appropriate restoration, or genetic trait expressions for population discriminations. *Corresponding author: Barry M Owens, Division of Operative Dentistry, Department of Restorative Dentistry, College of Dentistry, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, 875 Union Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee, USA, Tel: +1 9018320472; E-mail: [email protected] Citation: Owens BM, Phebus JG, Blen BJ, Redmond DC (2016) Cusp of Carabelli: Observations of an Odontogenic Trait. Gavin J Dent Sci 2016: 1-7. Received: 27 February, 2016; Accepted: 17 March, 2106; Published: 31 March, 2016