---
title: "What Is Cusp? Dental Glossary | Town Center Dental"
description: "A cusp is a raised point or rounded bump on the chewing surface of a tooth. Cusps help grip and grind food."
url: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/cusp
publisher: Town Center Dental
phone: +1-636-273-5866
quote: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment
---

Anatomy

# Cusp

A cusp is a raised point or rounded bump on the chewing surface of a tooth. Cusps help grip and grind food.

Cusps are the small peaks on the top of back teeth. Between them are valleys called grooves and pits. The cusps of upper and lower teeth fit together like puzzle pieces when you bite down. This helps you grip and grind food.

Premolars are also called bicuspids, which means two cusps. A canine has a single cusp. You can read about each in the entries on [premolars](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/premolar-bicuspid) and [molars](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/molar).

Cusps can chip or crack, especially on teeth with large fillings. A dentist can cover a weak cusp with an [onlay](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/onlay) or a dental crown. If you notice a rough or sharp edge on a tooth, mention it at your next visit.

## Related terms

-   [Occlusal surface](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/occlusal-surface)
-   [Molar](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/molar)
-   [Premolar (bicuspid)](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/premolar-bicuspid)
-   [Onlay](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/onlay)
-   [Cracked tooth syndrome](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/cracked-tooth-syndrome)

## Sources

1.  [American Dental Association: Glossary of Dental Terms](https://www.ada.org/publications/cdt/glossary-dental-terms)

## Ready when you are

[Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866)