The permanent teeth start erupting by about 6 years of age. Most of the permanent teeth erupt by 12 years of age except the third molars or the wisdom teeth, which erupt any time between 18 -25 years of age.

What are mammelons?

The cutting edge of the newly emerged front permanent teeth (incisors) are not even. They show elevations called mammelons that correspond to their developmental lobes. These in due course wear off to form a flat cutting edge.

Is it normal to have extra teeth?

Sometimes we do come across children who have an extra tooth or teeth. These are called supernumerary teeth. These extra teeth may appear as normal looking teeth or may be odd shaped. An example of extra teeth is a mesiodens that may occur as a cone shaped tooth in the midline between the two upper incisors.

The presence of extra teeth cannot be considered normal as they upset the normal dental balance. Thus they may have to be extracted followed by orthodontic treatment.

Can teeth be missing?

Missing teeth are also common. The tooth that is most frequently missing is the upper lateral incisor. The wisdom tooth may also be frequently missing. Missing teeth pose the problem of spacing between teeth.

Is it normal to have teeth of different sizes and shapes?

Teeth vary slightly from person to person in their shape and size. However it not uncommon to find teeth that are odd shaped or sized. Some of these teeth may be reshaped by the dentist to resemble normal teeth. Some may require a crown over them to make them look more normal.