Deciduous Teeth

General Info About Deciduous Teeth

  • Smaller than permanent teeth.

  • Whiter enamel compared to permanent teeth.

  • Enamel and dentin layers are thinner.

  • Pulp chambers are larger relative to tooth size.

  • Roots are shorter and more slender.

Scientific Diagram
Morphology of Primary Maxillary Teeth (1-5)

  1. Central Incisor

    • Appearance: Wider mesiodistally than incisocervically.

    • Roots: Single, conical root.

    • Identification: Prominent cervical ridge on the labial surface.

  1. Lateral Incisor

    • Appearance: Similar to central incisor but smaller and narrower.

    • Roots: Single, conical root, slightly longer than central incisor root.

    • Identification: More pronounced cingulum than central incisor.

  1. Canine

    • Appearance: Long, sharp cusp.

    • Roots: Single, long root with labial and lingual ridges.

    • Identification: Distinct cusp and well-developed cingulum.

  2. First Molar

    • Appearance: Resembles a premolar but with a more prominent buccal bulge.

    • Roots: Two divergent roots (buccal and lingual).

    • Identification: Occlusal outline is more rhomboidal, with a prominent mesiobuccal cusp.

  1. Second Molar

    • Appearance: Resembles the first permanent molar but smaller.

    • Roots: Three roots (mesiobuccal, distobuccal, and lingual).

    • Identification: Has a cusp of Carabelli (small cusp on the mesiolingual cusp).

Deciduous Maxillary Second Molar | Dental Education Hub
Morphology of Primary Mandibular Teeth (1-5)

  1. Central Incisor

    • Appearance: Smallest tooth in the primary dentition, symmetrical.

    • Roots: Single, narrow root.

    • Identification: Relatively flat labial surface.

  2. Lateral Incisor

    • Appearance: Wider and slightly longer than the central incisor.

    • Roots: Single root, slightly curved distally.

    • Identification: Incisal edge slopes distally.

  1. Canine

    • Appearance: Long, pointed cusp.

    • Roots: Single, long, and slender root.

    • Identification: Distal cusp ridge is longer than the mesial cusp ridge.

  1. First Molar

    • Appearance: Unique shape, mesial cusps are taller than distal cusps.

    • Roots: Two roots (mesial and distal), widely separated.

    • Identification: Oblique ridge runs from mesiolingual to distobuccal cusp.

Deciduous Mandibular First Molar | Dental Education Hub

  1. Second Molar

    • Appearance: Resembles the first permanent molar but smaller.

    • Roots: Two roots (mesial and distal).

    • Identification: Five cusps (three buccal, two lingual).

Eruption and Exfoliation Ages

Tooth

Primary Eruption (Months)

Primary Exfoliation (Years)

Permanent Eruption (Years)

Maxillary Central Incisor

8-12

6-7

7-8

Maxillary Lateral Incisor

9-13

7-8

8-9

Maxillary Canine

16-22

10-12

11-12

Maxillary First Molar

13-19

9-11

6-7

Maxillary Second Molar

25-33

10-12

12-13

Mandibular Central Incisor

6-10

6-7

6-7

Mandibular Lateral Incisor

10-16

7-8

7-8

Mandibular Canine

17-23

9-12

9-10

Mandibular First Molar

14-18

9-11

6-7

Mandibular Second Molar

23-31

10-12

11-13

Calcification Ages

Primary Teeth

  • Begins: In utero, around 4-6 months of fetal life.

  • Completed Root Formation: Approximately 1.5 to 3 years after eruption.

Permanent Teeth

  • Begins: Around birth to 3 years, depending on the tooth.

  • Completed Root Formation: Approximately 2-3 years after eruption, varying per tooth.