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Dentistry vocabulary · Teeth and Oral Anatomy

Permanent teeth

Meaning in dentistry, with examples

nounCore term

In dentistry, permanent teeth means: The second and final set of teeth, which replace the primary teeth. Adults have 32, including the four wisdom teeth, and they have to last for life.

In Turkish: daimi dişler, kalıcı dişler

How it is used

Also called adult teeth or secondary teeth, and together the permanent dentition. Dentists talk about permanent teeth erupting, being congenitally missing, or being lost through decay, gum disease or injury.

Example sentences

  1. At twelve, he has all his permanent teeth except the second molars.

  2. Two upper permanent teeth are congenitally missing.

Common collocations

  • permanent teeth
  • adult teeth
  • permanent dentition
  • congenitally missing teeth
  • primary teethThe first set of 20 teeth that children have. They start to come through at about six months of age and are gradually replaced by permanent teeth from around age six.
  • wisdom toothThe third and last molar at the back of each side of both jaws. It usually comes through between the late teens and the mid-twenties and often lacks space to erupt properly.
  • toothOne of the hard, white structures in the jaws used for biting and chewing. Each one has a crown above the gum and one or more roots held in the bone.
  • quadrantOne of the four quarters of the mouth: upper right, upper left, lower left and lower right. In an adult each quadrant has eight permanent teeth.

More terms: Teeth and Oral Anatomy

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.