Development Charts
Primary Teeth
There are 20 primary or baby teeth. Each child’s teeth erupt at a different age. Some come in sooner and some later. Parents should not be alarmed if their child’s teeth erupt at a different age or sequence than listed in the development charts below.
The lower central incisors erupt first, usually appearing around six months of age. The second molars erupt last, generally at approximately age 2. Usually girls’ teeth erupt earlier than boys’ teeth. Lower teeth tend to erupt earlier than the corresponding upper teeth.
Primary teeth serve several purposes:
- They are essential for nutritional intake and proper mastication or chewing.
- They aid your child in speech development as teeth aid in forming correct sounds.
- They act as space maintainers for the permanent teeth which do not erupt until about age 6.
Upper Primary Teeth Development
| UPPER | Eruption | Exfoliation |
|---|---|---|
| Central Incisor | 7 1/2 mo. | 7 1/2 yrs. old |
| Lateral Incisor | 9 mo. | 8 yrs. old |
| Cuspid | 18 mo. | 11 1/2 yrs. old |
| First Molar | 14 mo. | 10 1/2 yrs. old |
| Second Molar | 24 mo. | 10 1/2 yrs. old |
Lower Primary Teeth Development
| LOWER | Eruption | Exfoliation |
|---|---|---|
| Central Incisor | 6 mo. | 6 yrs. old |
| Lateral Incisor | 7 mo. | 7 yrs. old |
| Cuspid | 16 mo. | 9 1/2 yrs. old |
| First Molar | 12 mo. | 10 yrs. old |
| Second Molar | 20 mo. | 11 yrs. old |
Permanent Teeth
Including wisdom teeth, the adult mouth contains 32 teeth. Permanent teeth generally erupt following the same sequence as baby teeth. If a child’s primary teeth erupt early, their permanent teeth do likewise.
The converse also appears to be true. Permanent teeth begin their eruption pattern between the ages of 6-8. Please refer to the development charts below for this pattern. The permanent teeth, if well-maintained and cared for properly, last a lifetime.
Upper Permanent Teeth Development
| UPPER | ERUPTION |
|---|---|
| Central Incisor | 7-8 yrs. old |
| Lateral Incisor | 8-9 yrs. old |
| Cuspid | 11-12 yrs. old |
| First Bicuspid | 10-11 yrs. old |
| Second Bicuspid | 10-12 yrs. old |
| First Molar | 6-7 yrs. old |
| Second Molar | 12-13 yrs. old |
| Third Molar | 17-21 yrs. old |
Lower Permanent Teeth Development
| LOWER | ERUPTION |
|---|---|
| Central Incisor | 6-7 yrs. old |
| Lateral Incisor | 7-8 yrs. old |
| Cuspid | 9-10 yrs. old |
| First Bicuspid | 10-12 yrs. old |
| Second Bicuspid | 11-12 yrs. old |
| First Molar | 6-7 yrs. old |
| Second Molar | 11-13 yrs. old |
| Third Molar | 17-21 yrs. old |