Deciduous Teeth and the Chronology of the Dentitions

Question 1

How many deciduous teeth are there? Name those in each quadrant.

Answer 1

There are 20 deciduous teeth altogether, 5 in each quadrant. They are; the central incisor, lateral incisor, canine, first molar, second molar. Note - there are no premolars present

Question 2

At what age does the first eruption of the deciduous dentition occur?

Answer 2

6-10 months

Question 3

What is usually the first tooth to erupt in the deciduous dentition?

Answer 3

The mandibular central incisor.

Question 4

In what order does the deciduous dentition erupt?

Answer 4

They erupt in pairs, with the mandibular pairs preceding the maxillary pairs. The order is; central incisors, lateral incisors, first molar, canine, second molar.

Question 5

What is the 6/4 rule for the deciduous dentition eruption?

Answer 5

Every 6 months, 4 teeth erupt. I.e., at 6mths the four central incisors, at 12mths all 8 incisors, at 18mths incisors plus four canines…

Question 6

What is the order of eruption for the permanent dentition?

Answer 6

First molar, central incisor, lateral incisor, canine, first premolar, second premolar, second molar, third molar.

Question 7

What is the age span for the eruption of the deciduous dentition?

Answer 7

From 6-10mths to 2-3yrs

Question 8

What is the age span for the eruption of the permanent dentition?

Answer 8

From 6-7yrs to 12yrs (except third molars/wisdom teeth which erupt from 17-21yrs)