The ______ teeth can have 3 roots. Which is it?

• A. Maxillary
• B. Mandibular
• C. Incisors
• D. Canines

Answer: (A)

In dentistry, the number of roots a tooth has varies by tooth type and arch. Upper teeth (the maxillary teeth) are the ones that commonly show three roots, especially the molars. The usual arrangement is two buccal roots (toward the cheek) and one palatal root (toward the palate). This three-root structure helps anchor the tooth in the upper jaw and withstand the forces of chewing.

In contrast, lower teeth (the mandibular teeth) typically have two roots for the molars, and the anterior teeth (incisors and canines) are almost always single-rooted. There are rare exceptions, but three roots are not the standard pattern for those teeth. So the statement fits because three-rooted molars are characteristic of maxillary teeth.