Permanent teeth

Permanent teeth or adult teeth are the second set of teeth formed in diphyodont mammals. In humans and old world simians, there are thirty-two permanent teeth, consisting of six maxillary and six mandibular molars, four maxillary and four mandibular premolars, two maxillary and two mandibular canines, four maxillary and four mandibular incisors.

Development

The permanent teeth start developing in the jaws during the fetal period and continue after birth. Some permanent teeth start to grow as early as 3–4 months of age. By the age of 13, most of the 28 primary teeth are in place. The full set of 32 permanent teeth (including wisdom teeth) are usually in place by age 21.

Types of Permanent Teeth

There are four different types of permanent teeth: incisors, canines, premolars, and molars.

Incisors

The incisors are the front teeth present in the upper and lower jaws. They are primarily used for cutting food.

Canines

The canines are the pointed teeth present on either side of the incisors. They are used for tearing food.

Premolars

The premolars are present next to the canines and are used for grinding food.

Molars

The molars are the largest of the permanent teeth. They are present at the back of the mouth and are used for grinding food.

Care of Permanent Teeth

Proper care of permanent teeth includes regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups. It is also important to maintain a healthy diet to ensure the health of the teeth.

See Also

• Deciduous teeth
• Tooth development
• Dental anatomy

Permanent teeth Resources
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