The
premolar teeth, or
bicuspids, are transitional teeth located between the
canine and
molar teeth. In humans, there are two premolars per quadrant in the
permanent set of teeth, making eight premolars total in the mouth. They have at least two
cusps. Premolars can be considered as 'transitional teeth' during chewing, or
mastication. They have properties of both the
anterior canines and
posterior molars, and so food can be transferred from the canines to the premolars and finally to the molars for grinding, instead of directly from the canines to the molars.