Final answer:
The height of contour on all posterior teeth, including both premolars and molars, typically occurs in the buccal surface, which is the outermost curved part of the tooth. This area is essential for the proper contact between teeth and affects both dental function and health.
Step-by-step explanation:
The height of contour on all posterior teeth, which includes premolars and molars, is the most pronounced part of the tooth that is found in the buccal and lingual surfaces. This is where the tooth's shape bulges out the most and is the peak of curvature that corresponds to the greatest elevation on a tooth's surface, relative to a line parallel to the occlusal plane.
For the premolars (or bicuspids), which are located immediately posterior to the cuspids, the height of contour typically can be found in the middle third of the buccal surface. Premolars are used primarily for mashing food due to their two rounded cusps. Molars, being the most posterior teeth in the oral cavity, have a height of contour also in the buccal surface and sometimes in the cervical third, depending on the specific molar. These teeth are designed with several pointed cusps to effectively crush food for easier swallowing. Understanding the height of contour is important as it affects how teeth make contact with their neighbors and contributes to the overall function and health of the teeth and mouth.