What term is used to describe a molar with multiple cusps?

The term that describes a molar with multiple cusps is molar cusp. Molars are characterized by their broad, flat surfaces and multiple cusps, which are the pointed projections on the biting surface of the teeth. This design helps in the grinding and crushing of food, making molars particularly important for effective chewing.

Understanding the characteristics of molars is crucial in both dentistry and forensic dentistry, as the shape and number of cusps can provide valuable information regarding an individual's dental health, species identification, and even age in certain contexts. For instance, molars typically have four or more cusps, which distinguishes them from other types of teeth, such as premolars, which have fewer cusps.

In contrast, enamel pearls refer to small nodules of enamel found on tooth surfaces and do not denote the structure of molars. Taurodontism is a condition where the body of the tooth is enlarged and the roots are short, affecting the molar's appearance but not the number of cusps. Root transparency is a term that describes a radiographic finding related to the visibility of roots on X-rays, which is unrelated to the number of cusps on a tooth.