Will my daughter’s baby tooth be replaced?

Question:

Sir, I would like to ask about my daughters tooth.  It is badly damage so the doctor told me to remove it. I want to know whether she will again get her permanent tooth back or not? She is completed 7yrs now. Please reply me soon. Thanks in advance.

Answer:

Around the age of 6, children begin to see their permanent teeth erupt.  Depending on which tooth is removed, more than likely it will be replaced with an adult tooth.  Below we have included a chart of eruption times of adult teeth.  The teeth are arranged starting with the central incisor at the midline and ending with the molar in the back of the mouth.

Upper Teeth
Tooth	Eruption Age
Central Incisor	7-8 yr
Lateral Incisor	8-9 yr
Canine	11-12 yr
First Premolar	10-11 yr
Second Premolar	10-12 yr
First Molar	6-7 yr
Second Molar	12-13 yr
Third Molar	17-21 yr

Lower Teeth
Tooth	Eruption Age
Central Incisor	6-7 yr
Lateral Incisor	7-8 yr
Canine	9-10 yr
First Premolar	10-12 yr
Second Premolar	11-12 yr
First Molar	6-7 yr
Second Molar	11-13 yr
Third Molar	17-21 yr

However, if a tooth is removed too early, it could influence the amount of space left for the adult tooth.  Ask your dentist if early removal of the tooth will influence the eruption of the adult dentition.  If so, the dentist is required to provide you with “space maintenance” options.  This means that when the adult tooth comes in, there will be enough room in the mouth to accommodate it.

Good luck with your decision,

SaveMySmile Team

Adult Tooth Basics

We have 2 sets of teeth in our lifetime.  A childhood set, known as the deciduous or primary dentition, in which we normally begin to lose around the age of 6.  The adult set, also known as the permanent or succedaneous set, is what we keep for the remainder of our lives, that is if we keep our mouths in good condition.  Naturally, the adult mouth contains 32 teeth separated into 4 separate categories: Incisors, Canines, Premolars, and Molars.  So what is in your mouth and how do you know what is what?

Incisors:

These are the main teeth that are visible when we smile.  We have four on top and four on the bottom.  They are used primarily for “incising” or cutting into food.  The two in the middle are known as the central incisors.  The outer two are referred to as the lateral incisors.

Canines:

Believe it or not, these are the longest teeth in the mouth (root included).  Located next to the lateral incisors, these teeth are the cornerstones of the mouth.  Canines are used for tearing or shearing food.  They are sharp and usually form a point at the tip.  Adults have four canines, two on the top and two on the bottom.

Premolars:

Premolars, also known as cuspids, are located between the molars and the canines.  We have 8 premolars in the mouth, a first and second premolar.  The first premolar may somewhat resemble the canine in that it may appear somewhat sharp and form a point at the tip.  These are used for grinding and chewing food.

Molars:

Molars are the largest teeth in the mouth.  We have 12 molars, 3 on each side on the top and bottom.  These teeth are used for chewing food.