The morphology of mandibular second molar has changed from pattern 'y' to '+' during the process of evolution. They can be classified as +4, 4-y, +5, 5-y,+6 and 6-y. Variation in occlusal morphology in different populations have been noted. Aim: To study different occlusal morphology of permanent mandibular second molars. Methods: This study comprised of a total of 100 participants selected by random sampling method. Number of cusps and groove patterns of permanent mandibular second molar were

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... xamined clinically and photographs of the same were taken. Results: Overall results of our study showed the 4 cusps form (69%), the "+" pattern (77%) and the occlusal morphology with "+4" pattern (65%) were predominant among the study population. On analyzing the gender, the 4 cusps form, the "+" pattern and the occlusal morphology with "+4" pattern was predominant both in females and males. Conclusion: The most common occlusal morphology in permanent mandibular second molar in this study was "4 cusp" and "+" groove pattern. It may be concluded that variation in degree of expression and frequency of teeth in dentitions of different populations is different, which may help in forensic identification. This study was undertaken to find the prevalence of six types of mandibular second molar in the South Indian population Background: The morphology of mandibular second molar has changed from pattern 'y' to '+' during the process of evolution. They can be classified as +4, 4-y, +5, 5-y,+6 and 6-y. Variation in occlusal morphology in different populations have been noted. Aim: To study different occlusal morphology of permanent mandibular second molars. Methods: This study comprised of a total of 100 participants selected by random sampling method. Number of cusps and groove patterns of permanent mandibular second molar were examined clinically and photographs of the same were taken. Results: Overall results of our study showed the 4 cusps form (69%), the "+" pattern (77%) and the occlusal morphology with "+4" pattern (65%) were predominant among the study population. On analyzing the gender, the 4 cusps form, the "+" pattern and the occlusal morphology with "+4" pattern was predominant both in females and males. Conclusion: The most common occlusal morphology in permanent mandibular second molar in this study was "4 cusp" and "+" groove pattern. It may be concluded that variation in degree of expression and frequency of teeth in dentitions of different populations is different, which may help in forensic identification. Background: The morphology of mandibular second molar has changed from pattern 'y' to '+' during the process of evolution. They can be classified as +4, 4-y, +5, 5-y,+6 and 6-y. Variation in occlusal morphology in different populations have been noted. Aim: To study different occlusal morphology of permanent mandibular second molars. Methods: This study comprised of a total of 100 participants selected by random sampling method. Number of cusps and groove patterns of permanent mandibular second molar were examined clinically and photographs of the same were taken. Results: Overall results of our study showed the 4 cusps form (69%), the "+" pattern (77%) and the occlusal morphology with "+4" pattern (65%) were predominant among the study population. On analyzing the gender, the 4 cusps form, the "+" pattern and the occlusal morphology with "+4" pattern was predominant both in females and males. Conclusion: The most common occlusal morphology in permanent mandibular second molar in this study was "4 cusp" and "+" groove pattern. It may be concluded that variation in degree of expression and frequency of teeth in dentitions of different populations is different, which may help in forensic identification.