Permanent Teeth

Permanent teeth (or adult teeth) came after the series of primary teeth and are normally intended to remain in the mouth for the whole lifetime. There are 32 adult teeth, including eight incisors, four canines, eight premolars and twelve molars (with four wisdom teeth). The premolars replace primary molars, while the adult molars appear in a posterior position in the dental arch, not replacing any primary teeth.

The substitution of teeth begins around the age of 6 and happens in a gradual manner. The child is then in a mixed dentition period which lasts several years. Around the age of 12, all adult teeth should have replaced primary teeth. The third molars, or wisdom teeth, complete their development at approximately 18 years, but they might never come out and stay impacted.

The eruption of a tooth can be thwarted by the lack of space, which creates dental crowding or malocclusion. This condition can be treated with orthodontics.

Sometimes there is agenesis of one or more permanent teeth, which means that the tooth never develops. This happens particularly with wisdom teeth, but also sometimes with incisors or premolars. In some agenesis situations, the corresponding primary tooth does not fall and remains present in the mouth.

Dental Classification

Canine Incisor Molar Permanent Teeth Premolar Primary Teeth Tooth Eruption Wisdom Teeth

References