intermolar

Intermolar is an anatomical term used in dentistry to describe something located between molar teeth. The word derives from Latin inter, between, and molar, a tooth used for grinding. In practice, intermolar refers to regions, distances, or relationships involving the molars in either the upper (maxillary) or lower (mandibular) dental arches.

In orthodontics, intermolar width or intermolar distance is a common metric used to assess the transverse dimension of the dental arch. Clinicians commonly measure the distance between the mesiobuccal cusp tips of the first permanent molars (or between their buccal crown centers) on dental casts or scans. Changes in intermolar width are monitored during space-closure, expansion therapies, and arch-form planning. An increased intermolar width can relieve crowding and improve occlusion, but excessive widening may affect periodontal health or aesthetics.

In other contexts, 'intermolar' may describe the position of restorative margins, implant sites, or bone anatomy in relation to the molars, or refer to the region between the molars during radiographic evaluation. The term is descriptive rather than prescriptive, used to specify location within the molar zone.

See also: interdental, interproximal, intermaxillary, molar.