Which tooth has five functional cusp tips?

The tooth with five functional cusp tips is the maxillary first molar. This molar is characterized by having two buccal cusps and three lingual cusps, which collectively create five distinct cusp tips. The first maxillary molar typically has a prominent mesiobuccal cusp and distobuccal cusp on the buccal side, along with the larger mesiolingual and distolingual cusps and the cusp of Carabelli, which is considered the fifth cusp in many cases.

In contrast, the mandibular first molar typically has two buccal cusps and two lingual cusps, totaling four functional cusp tips. The second molars, both mandibular and maxillary, generally have similar cusp structures, also presenting four functional cusps. Therefore, the correct response highlights the unique anatomical feature of the maxillary first molar as having five distinct functional cusp tips, distinguishing it from the other choices.