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Differences between Primary

Teeth (Milk Teeth) and
Permanent Teeth
MARCH 9, 2013 BY DR. CHETAN6 COMMENTS

A persons life has two dentition phases Primary dentition, i.e. the Deciduous Teeth / Milk
teeth and the Permanent Teeth which are seen for the entire lifetime. There are several
differences between the Deciduous / Primary and Permanent teeth in the morphology and various
other aspects, and it is the deciduous teeth which erupt first, then followed by the permanent
teeth. As and when the milk teeth are lost, the permanent teeth start replacing them.

The primary teeth start erupting from the age of 6-7 months, and they grow and finally lost by
the age of 11 years, and the permanent teeth start growing from the age of 6-7 years and stay
permanently only if they ideally erupt and are maintained well. The last permanent teeth that are
erupted in the oral cavity are the Wisdom teeth, i.e. the 3rd molar.

The primary and permanent teeth are not only different externally, but have got several
differences in the internal morphology too. A total of 20 deciduous teeth and 32 permanent teeth
erupt in the body, i.e. 52 total teeth in the entire lifetime.
The size of the crowns of the primary molar teeth affects the way the permanent dentition and
the jaw growth occurs, because if the deciduous molars fall off early and if no proper measures
are taken, the permanent molar may drift forward and it could lead to lesser spaces for the
eruption of the premolar teeth. While there are a few times when the primary and permanent
teeth are present at the same time in the mouth, it is necessary to understand the differences
between the two to easily identify the tooth for any treatment planning.
Following are the differences between the Deciduous Teeth and the Permanent Teeth (Check out
the differences between Maxillary and Mandibular Incisors in Permanent dentition):

Feature Deciduous Teeth Permanent Teeth

Number 20 teeth in total 32 teeth in total

Types 2 incisors, 1 canine and 2 molars in each 2 incisors, 1 canine, 2 premolars and 3

quadrant. There are no premolars. A total of 8 molars in each quadrant. A total of 8

incisors, 4 canines and 8 molars erupt. incisors, 4 canines, 8 premolars and 12

molars erupt.

Size These are the smaller teeth and each tooth is The permanent teeth are larger than the

smaller than the permanent successor. Only primary teeth in size, except for the pre-
 the Mesiodistal width of primary molar is molars which replace the primary

greater than the Mesiodistal width of the molars, with a smaller mesiodistal

permanent pre-molar. width.

Shape The cusps are more pointed and the crowns The cusps are blunt. The crowns are not

are bulbous. The crowns of incisors and bulbous. The contact areas are broader.

canines are relatively broader. The contact

areas are smaller.

Colors Enamel is less translucent, thus the color of Enamel is more translucent and thus the

the primary teeth is whiter. color of the permanent teeth is bluish-

white.

Cervical Margin The enamel ends abruptly at the neck. First The enamel ends gradually. First molars

molars show a bulge near the cervical margin do not have any bulge near cervical

at mesio-buccal region known as cervical margins. Necks are longer and less

ridge. Necks are short and more constructed. constricted.

Anteriors show prominent cervical ridge

labially and lingually.

Occlusal Area The Bucco-lingual diameter of molars is Buccal and lingual surfaces do not

narrower because the buccal and lingual converge and therefore bucco-lingual

surfaces converge. diameter is wider.

Roots Roots are shorter and delicate though Roots are longer and strong. In multi-

compared to crown size they are relatively rooted teeth there is a trunk and roots do
 longer. The roots separate close to crown. The not diverge close to crown.

roots diverge widely.

Pulp Cavity Dentin is less thick. Pulp cavity is larger and Dentin is thicker. Pulp cavity is smaller

pulp horns rise high in the cuspal region. and pulp horns are lower.

Enamel More permeable, less calcified and shows Enamel is less permeable, more

more attrition. Rods near cervical margin are calcified and show relatively less

perpendicular to dentino-enamel junction. attrition. Rods near cervical margin are

directed apically.

Eruption Eruption starts at 6 months and continues till 3 Eruption starts at 6 years and continues

years, and the primary teeth are exfoliated by till 25 years or more and stays in oral

13 years. cavity for a long time.

Placement in Jaws They are set perpendicularly in jaws. They are placed obliquely in jaws.

1st Upper Molar 3 Cusps 4 Cusps

2nd Upper Molar 4 Cusps 4 Cusps

1st Lower Molar 4 Cusps 5 Cusps

2nd Lower Molar 5 Cusps 4 Cusps