This document summarizes the normal development of primary and permanent dentition. It discusses the chronology of tooth development, including calcification and eruption times. It also describes the typical stages of postnatal dental development, from the edentulous stage to the functional permanent dentition stage. Abnormalities during development like natal or neonatal teeth are also addressed.

1. UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY
Normal Development of the Dentition
Mohammed Almuzian
2015

2. Normal Development of the Dentition
Chronology of development of the primary dentition, (Foster & Hamilton, 1969)
Teeth Crown Complete
(months)
Calcification
(weeks IU)
Eruption
(months)
A 1.5-3 13-15 6-9
B 1.5-3 13-15 6-9
D 6 14-17 12-15
C 9 15-18 18-20
E 10-11 16-23 21-35
Root development complete 1-1.5 years after tooth eruption
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3. Chronology of development of the permanent teeth, (Foster & Hamilton, 1969)
Teeth Calcification
begins
(months)
Crown
Complete
(year)
Eruption
(year)
First molars Birth 2.3-3 6
Mandibular Central Incisors 3-4 4-5
6-7
Mandibular Lateral Incisors 3-4 4-5 7-8
Mandibular Canine 4-5 6-7 9-10
Mandibular First premolar 21-26 5-6 11-12
Mandibular Second
Premolar
27-30 15-7 12-13
Second Molars 30-36 7-8 12-13
Third Molars 7-10 year 12-16 16-21
Root development complete 3 years after eruption
Teeth Calcification
begins
Crown
Complete
Eruption
(year)
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4. (months) (year)
First molars Birth 2.3-3 6
Maxillary Central Incisors 3-4 4-5 7-8
Maxillary Lateral Incisors 10-12 4-5 8-9
Maxillary Carnine 4-5 6-7 11-12
Maxillary First Premolar 15-21 5-6 10-11
Maxillary Second Premolar 24-27 6-7 11-12
Second Molars 30-36 7-8 12-13
Third Molars 7-10 12-16 16-21
Root development complete 3 years after eruption
Postnatal development of the dentition
According to Richardson 1999 he divided it into 5 stages
1. Edentulous stage
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5. 2. Eruption of deciduous dentition (Early primary dentition)
3. Functional deciduous dentition (Full primary dentition)
4. Eruption of permanent dentition (Mixed dentition)
5. Functional permanent dentition (Full primary dentition)
Edentulous stage
At birth the usual findings with regard to the future dentition are maxillary and
mandibular gum pads, which are approximately without teeth for the first six months.
The gum pads are covered with a dense fibrous periostium and divided into segmental
elevations representing the teeth forming below. The maxillary gum pad is horse shoe
shaped and the palatal vault is almost flat, it is wider and longer than the underlying
mandibular U shaped gum pad. In both arches well developed grooves are noted distal
to the canine segments called lateral sulci. The alveolar processes are separated on the
palatal side by a horizontal groove known as the dental or gingival groove. The frenum
or the upper lip is attached to the crest of the gum pad and there is a fibrous continuum
to the incisive papilla.
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6. Abnormality during edentulous stage:
1. At birth there is considerable variation in the antero-posterior relationships of the
jaws but in general the mandibular gum pad lie distal to the maxillary, assessment is
difficult as temperomandibular joints are not fully formed yet. Any parental concern
regarding jaw relationships should be pacified as the neonatal position is no way
predictive of future relationship as in Pier Robin Syndrome.
2. Occasionally on the alveolar mucosa small whitish nodules may appear, these are
gingival cysts of infancy, often called Epstein’s pearls or Bohn’s nodules. They are
about 2-3 mms in diametrer and contain keratin, they tend occur on the midline of the
palate and on the alveolar gum pads. Parents should not be concerned about gingival
cysts of infancy and should be reassured that they will spontaneously burst and resolve
within the first three months of life.
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7. 3. Occasionally natal teeth can form that are present in the mouth at birth
• Parents may express concern or pride that their child has his first tooth and
should be reassured that management is only required if the problems occur.
• Natal teeth are that group of teeth present at the birth due to abnormal
premature development in the dental lamina of primary teeth.
• They are different from neonatal teeth, which erupt in during the first 30 days
after birth.
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8. Prevalence
vEpidemiology
v1:2,000- 3,000
vMore common in American Indian
vNatal teeth > Neonatal teeth
v> 60% family history
v ♂ : ♀ = 3 to 1
Frequencies in the mouth (Approximately)
10%Supernumerary Teeth
90%Primary Teeth
85%Lower Central Primary
Incisors
11%Maxillary Incisors
3%Mandibular Canines
And Molars
1%Maxillary Canines And
Molars
To sum up “MORE COMMON AS PREMATURELY ERUPTED
PRIMARY TEETH COMMONLY IN LOWER AND ANTERIOR
AREA”.
Clinical presentation
• Swelling of the gum tissue with an unerupted but palpable tooth.
• Partially erupted.
• Completely erupted with little or no root.
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9. Aetiology
1. Genetically factors particularly among Amish group & association with certain
syndrome
2. Intra-uterine environmental factors:
• Teratogen
• Infection.
• Malnutrition including hypo-vitaminosis.
• Trauma
Complication
1. To the mother: painful bitten or bleeding nipples
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10. 2. To the infant :
• Pain resulting in Malnutrition
• Riga-Fede disease (trauma to the tip or undersurface of the tongue)
• Inhalation or swallowing
• Possible development of dental caries, as the enamel is often absent or poorly
developed.
Management
1. Paedodontic Consultation.
2. Radiographical evaluation to determine:
• The teeth are normal primary or supernumerary teeth
• The extent of root development, enamel and dentin
• The relationship to other teeth.
3. Conservative management :
• Grinding/smoothing sharp edges of the tooth
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11. • Composite resin to form a dome shape over the edge
• Changes in feeding technique
• Dental hygiene including topical fluoride application, gently wiping the gums and teeth
with a clean, damp cloth.
4. Extraction
• Topical anesthetic cream
• Vitamin K supplement before extraction in a neonate under the age of 10 days.
The deciduous dentition (ABDCE sequence)
•At approximately six months, on the whole, the first tooth to erupt is the mandibular
central primary incisor. Prior to this tooth’s eruption and before any tooth eruption a
translucent bluish cyst may rarely appear, this is an eruption cyst; they most commonly
occur over primary molars and are formed by an accumulation of tissue fluid within the
dental follicle. Parents may voice concern, especially if it becomes enlarged and
erythematous, the cyst may be painful to bite upon. The cyst may spontaneously burst
on eruption of the tooth, or it may be necessary to incise the cyst if it is painful.
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12. •Average ages for eruption of deciduous teeth have been calculated; generally they
erupt between 6 months and 2 years. However, all the deciduous teeth should be erupted
at 3 years.
•The conventional orders of eruption are first incisors, lateral incisors, first molars,
canines and finally second molars. Mandibular teeth tend to erupt before maxillary
teeth.
•There is no sex difference for primary tooth eruption dates and times can vary up to six
months.
•Root formation is complete 12-18 months after eruption.
•During eruption the alveolar bone becomes progressively more developed, there is a
small increase in vertical dimensions, antero-posterior and transverse dimensions as the
teeth progressively erupt, after eruption the arches change very little until eruption of
the permanent teeth.
An Ideal deciduous dentition
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13. 1. The arches are semi-circular in shape;
2. Positive overjet and overbite;
3. The molar relationship is class I
4. The canine relationship is class I
5. Mesial step or flush terminal plane molar relationship.
6. Incisor spacing. Spacing is important in the incisor region.
• Parents expressing concern about spacing should be reassured that this feature is not
only developmentally correct but also important to accommodate the permanent teeth.
• Leighton 1971 estimated that if there is no space in the incisor region there is a 70%
chance of crowding, if less than 3mm space a 50% chance of crowding and if there is
6mms or more there is little chance of crowding
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14. 7. Anthropoid (Primate) spaces. These spaces are located mesial to the maxillary canine
and distal to the mandibular canine, they are important for the accommodation of
permanent teeth and parents should be informed of this if concerned.
Functional deciduous dentition
1. Once the primary dentition is complete, between the ages of three and six two
changes occur, there is attrition (wear due to tooth to tooth contact) and erosion (wear
due to food and drinks abrasiveness on the tooth surface) which has the effect of
shortening the heights of the incisors and a forward movement of the mandible. The net
result is worn teeth that occlude edge to edge. Parents may be concerned about this but
should be reassured of its normality.
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15. 2. Occlusal changes take place between the ages of 3 - 6 yrs with an increase in
intercanine width with either incisor spacing developing or increasing
Does a normal deciduous dentition exist?
Foster and Hamilton in 1969 studied the complete deciduous dentitions of 100 children
aged 3 years. There was not a single child within this sample that had incisor spacing,
primate spaces, upright incisors and flush terminal molars all present within the same
dentition. Amongst these occlusal features, the presence of primate spaces was the most
constant finding. Approximately one-third of the sample had spacing between all the
incisor teeth, but the majority only had spacing between some of these teeth. Around
half of the children had second deciduous molars that were flush in the terminal plane.
The greatest variation was seen in the incisor relationship, with only a fifth of children
having a normal overbite and almost three-quarters having some increase in the overjet
Can a future malocclusion be predicted from the deciduous dentition?
1. There is wide individual variation in occlusal development and predicting a
malocclusion in the permanent dentition based upon an established deciduous dentition
is difficult.
2. Unilateral crossbite, anterior open bite and an increased overjet associated with a
digit-sucking habit will usually spontaneously improve, if cessation of the habit occurs
before the mixed dentition is established.
3. However, in the absence of a digit-sucking habit, a markedly increased or reverse
overjet will give a fairly accurate prognosis for the incisor relationship in the permanent
dentition.
• Little predictive information regarding the potential for crowding in the permanent
dentition is obtained from measuring the size of the deciduous teeth or the arch length.
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16. However, alignment of the incisor dentition can give a good indication of the potential
for future crowding. If any incisor crowding exists in the deciduous dentition then this
almost certainly means there will be crowding of the permanent teeth. Leighton 1971
estimated that if there is no space in the incisor region there is a 70% chance of
crowding, if less than 3mm space a 50% chance of crowding and if there is 6mms or
more there is little chance of crowding.
The permanent dentition
Mixed dentition to permanent dentition
The eruption sequence can be variable, however in the upper jaw the normal sequence
of eruption is 61243578. In the lower jaw 16234578. Considerable variation exists for
eruption dates and a variation of about 1 year.
First permanent molar eruption.
This tooth erupts without displacing a primary tooth and parents occasionally must be
reminded that this is a permanent tooth.
The development of class I molars according to Baume 1950 occurs by three methods
1. Primary dentitions with a mesial step: the
permanent molars erupt straight into a class I molar
relationship
2. Primary dentitions with a flush terminal step. In
this case, there will be two scenarios:
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17. A. ‘’ early mechanism’’ In spaced dentitions with flush terminal planes, eruption of the 1st
molars pushes the mandibular primary molars forward to occupy the space of the
primate space. A class I molar relationship is created. The upper 6 cannot push the UE
or UD into primate space because it is mesial to C which is locked in by the occlusion.
B. ‘’ late mechanism’’In primary dentitions with no spaces mesial movement of the
primary molars cannot occur and the permanent molars erupt in a ½ class II
relationship. The normal class I relationship is achieved when the primary molars are
shed and there is utilisation of the leeway space.
← Sérgio Estelita Barros in 2015 concluded the following:
← •Molar relationship changes from the mixed to the permanent
dentition were evaluated.
← •Mesial and distal steps produced a stable relationship of the
permanent first molars.
← •Flush terminal plane produced the most unstable permanent first
molar relationship.
•Leeway spaces were not a significant predictor of molar relationship change.
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18. Mandibular incisors
At approximately 6 years when the 1st
incisors erupt, they essentially use up all the
spacing between the primary incisors, with the eruption of the lateral incisors at the age
of 7-8 years there is an average of 5 mm less space available than would be required to
perfectly align them. The deficit of space at this developmental stage is called the
incisor liability and results in crowding in the lower labial segment in children of the
age 8-9.
Parents should be reassured that this crowding will generally improve in a well
proportioned jaws and the temptation to extract to make space is to be avoided.
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19. The extra space comes from three sources. Moorrees 1965
•A slight width of the dental arch, increasing the intercanine width due to transverse
growth. This can contribute up to 1-2 mms of space.
•Labial position of the permanent incisors that are more proclined than the deciduous
predecessors, the result is a larger arch circumference and about 1-2 mms of extra
space.
•Repositioning of the canines into the primate space, this will occur in the mandibular
arch where the space is distal to the canine. If this occurs there is less space for mesial
movement of buccal segments later and may produce a buccal space deficit or a ½ class
II molar relationship.
Maxillary incisors
• Similar to lower incisor there is incisor liability.
• Maxillary incisors often erupt with a distal inclination and with a diastema between the
central incisors. This stage of development at about the age of 8–9 years is called the
ugly duck phase, so called because like the ugly duck the situation improves as the child
develops. The diastema is caused by pressure from the developing permanent canines,
pushing on the lateral incisor roots. Parents should be reassured that this situation
generally self corrects. Edwards 1977 suggested as a guideline that a diastema greater
than 2mms is unlikely to fully close.
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20. • As in the mandibular arch there is an increase in intercanine width due to transverse
growth and the permanent incisors are more proclined and erupt in a more labial
position, thereby increasing the arch perimeter and space for tooth alignment.
Canines and premolars
Favourable development of these teeth depends upon the following.
•Favourable eruption sequence.
•Good tooth arch size ratio.
•Attainment of a class I molar relationship with minimal loss of space for canines.
•A favourable transverse relationship between the maxillary and mandibular alveolar
processes.
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21. The differing size between the primary molars and the premolars
• Unlike the anterior teeth the permanent premolars are smaller than the primary teeth
they replace. This extra space known as the leeway space.
• The sequence of eruption is variable. In the lower buccal segment the first tooth to erupt
is either the lower 1st
premolar, or canine. The lower 2nd
premolar usually erupts next
but occasionally this erupts after the 2nd
permanent molar. In the maxillary buccal
segments the 1st
premolar erupts first followed by the canine and 2nd
premolar.
• The maxillary canine has the longest eruption pathway and potentially has more
eruptive problems associated with it; Ericson and Kurol recommend annual inspection
and palpation of maxillary canines from the age of 8 years, in order to intercept if
necessary.
• Buccal teeth tend to erupt earlier if the deciduous molars are removed earlier, providing
space loss is not so great to have caused an impaction.
Second and third molars
The 2nd
molars erupt usually between 12-14 years and the third molar eruption is highly
variable but is quoted to erupt between 16-20 years.
Summary
1. The lower incisors erupt before the upper teeth and lingual to their predecessors.
2. The collective mesiodistal dimensions of the permanent incisor tooth crowns are
larger than their deciduous predecessors by approximately 5-mm in the mandible and
7-mm in the maxilla, a deficit known as the incisor liability. This increased space
requirement for the permanent incisor teeth is gained from the following:
• Spacing present between the deciduous incisors;
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22. • Labial eruption (particularly in the maxilla) than their deciduous predecessors and
therefore occupying a greater arch perimeter;
• Primate space
• Part of Lee way space;
• Transverse increase in the intercanine arch width.
3. It is common for the upper incisors to be distally inclined and a midline maxillary
diastema to be present. This stage of development used to be described as the 'ugly
ducking' or 'Broadbent' stage and should be considered as normal
4. A transient anterior open bite can be associated with eruption of the incisors as
they approach the occlusal plane and this invariably improves with time.
5. The first permanent molars should be guided into occlusion by the distal surfaces
of the second deciduous molars. If these surfaces are flush as previously described the
teeth should come into a cusp-to-cusp relationship, which is normal for the mixed
dentition. So they are in half unit class II. The transition to the stepped Class I molar
relationship occurs during the mixed dentition as a result of
• differential mandibular growth
• or the leeway space produced by the replacement of the deciduous molars by the
premolars
• or by the use of primate space.
6. The upper canines develop palatally, but migrate buccally to lie slightly labial and
distal to the root apex of the lateral incisors. In normal development they can be
palpated buccally from as young as 8 years of age in some children
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23. 7. For the first and second premolars, there is extra space when thy replace their
predecessors which called Lee way space (2mm in the LA and 1.5mm in the UA). This
space helps to allow correction of molar relationship and to provide space for canine
and incisor alignment. However, successful alignment of the canine and premolar teeth
within each quadrant relies upon a number of factors:
• The size of the leeway space;
• Previous encroachment by the incisors into the canine region;
• The mechanism of molar relationship correction.
8. The second permanent molars should be guided directly into the correct
relationship by the distal aspect of the first permanent molars. The third molars should
follow the same pattern but space is often not available leading to impaction
Full permanent dentition
1. Andrew’s six keys.
2. Roth functional occlusion.
3. The upper canine occludes in the embrasure between the lower permanent canine
and the first premolar.
4. The lower incisors should occlude with the cingulum plateau of the upper incisors
5. The overbite is about a third of the height of the lower incisor crowns
6. The overjet is approximately 2mm.
7. In the full dentition the upper buccal segments are tilted slightly outwards and the
lower buccal segments slightly lingually (curve of Monson).
8. The occlusal plane has a distinct upward curve anteriorly (curve of Spee).
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24. Growth changes
A. Arch width
1. The arch width at intercanine increased after eruption of primary teeth (1-2mm)
followed by a period of little changes then another increase during mixed dentition
(3mm) followed by small increase in intercanine width during permanent dentition.
1. Growth posteriorly provides space for the permanent molars, and considerable
appositional vertical growth occurs to maintain the relationship of the arches during
vertical facial growth.
2. However regarding the arch width measured at intermolar are, between the ages
of 3 and 18 years an increase of 2 in LA and 4 in UA mm takes place but for clinical
purposes arch width is largely established by the late mixed dentition.
B. Arch circumference
1. It is determined by measuring around the buccal cusps and incisal edges of the teeth to
the distal aspect of the second deciduous molars or second premolars.
2. There is little change in the maxillary arch with growth
3. The mandibular circumference decreases by about 4mm because of the leeway space. In
individuals with crowded mouths a greater reduction may be seen.
4. Late changes in the dentition with growth - Apart from third molar development the
most noticeable change is an increase in crowding between the ages of 15 - 20 years.
This is most noticeable in the lower incisors possibly as a result of a change in
interincisal angle under the influence of soft tissue maturation and differential growth of
the mandible and maxilla with a tendency to prognathism and forward mandibular
rotation. The other factors often discussed in relation to late lower incisor crowding is
mesial drift of buccal teeth and the eruption of third molars
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25. Changes in the permanent dentition into adulthood
• Slight increase in mandibular prognathism.
• Late lower incisor crowding.
• Overbite tends to reduce with age.
• Increase in interincisal angle and uprighting of incisors.
Understanding the causes of late lower incisor crowding
Crowding of the mandibular incisors is one of the most common problems encountered
in the permanent dentition and lower incisor alignment is one of the most likely things
to relapse after orthodontic treatment. Richardson, 2000:
1. Primary crowding refers to a discrepancy of tooth dimension and jaw size, mainly
determined genetically.
2. Secondary crowding is caused by environmental factors, including local space
conditions in the dental arches and the position and function of the tongue, the lips and
the buccal musculature.
3. Tertiary crowding occurs during adolescence and post-adolescence with a
predilection for the lower labial segment.
4. Factors contributing to late lower incisor crowding may include:
•Mandibular growth rotations;
•Anterior component of occlusal force;
•Degenerative periodontal changes allowing teeth to drift under light pressures;
•Change in diet and lack of interproximal wear;
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26. •Soft tissue maturation;
•Mandibular third molars–presence and position.
Mutual protection is thought to be achieved in the presence of:
a. ICP (or centric occlusion, CO) coincident with the retruded contact position
(RCP) (or centric relation, CR) but with some limited freedom for the mandible to move
slightly forwards in the sagittal and horizontal planes from ICP.
b. An immediate and permanent posterior dis-occlusion in lateral and protrusive
contact with no associated non-working side interferences (tooth contacts); this is
achieved by the presence of canine guidance or group function in lateral excursion and
incisal guidance in protrusion. Thus, the anterior teeth protect the posteriors;
c. Multiple, simultaneous and bilateral contacts of the posterior teeth in intercuspal
position (ICP) with the incisor teeth slightly out of contact; thus, the posterior teeth
protect the anterior.
Functional Occlusal Goals
1. CO = CR
2. Anterior guidance & gently posterior disclusion
3. Canine guidance, minimal posterior disclusion
4. Cusp/ embrasure buccally
5. Cusp/fossa lingually
6. Posterior forces along LA
7. Lower 4s contact 3s in protrusion
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27. 8. Absence of non-working contact
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