Final answer:
Premolars, also known as bicuspids, are the eight teeth located between canines and molars, which mash food. They are flatter with two cusps, compared to the sharper incisors and canines, or the larger molars used for crushing and grinding.
Step-by-step explanation:
Premolars, also known as bicuspids, are one of the types of teeth in the human mouth. Specifically, there are eight premolars positioned in the jaw between the sharp canine teeth and the larger molars. Premolars have a flattened shape with two rounded cusps that are adept at mashing foods before they are ushered back to the molars for more extensive crushing and grinding.
In contrast to the incisors and canines, which are designed for cutting and tearing food, respectively, premolars serve a transitional role in the digestive process, handling softer mashing functions to prepare the food for the molars. The molars, including the well-known wisdom teeth, are the most posterior and are responsible for thoroughly crushing food in preparation for swallowing.
Understanding the distinct function and location of each tooth type, from incisors to canines to premolars and molars, is essential for recognizing the efficiency of the human dentition system. Typical dental development timelines show that premolars and molars emerge later in childhood or even early adulthood, as is the case with wisdom teeth, which might become impacted and require removal through orthodontic surgery.