Primary dentition

Primary dentition, similar to permanent dentition

The 20 primary teeth have a configuration similar to permanent dentition:

• 4 central incisors (directly under the nose, at the top and bottom);
• 4 lateral incisors (always in front of the mouth, on each side of the central incisors);
• 4 canines (commonly called fangs);
• 8 molars (large teeth located towards the back of the mouth that are used to chew).

Primary teeth are brighter in whiteness than permanent teeth, hence the term “milk teeth”. This is due to the thickness of the enamel and the higher amount of dentin in permanent teeth. Indeed, dentine is relatively yellowish in colour. It is therefore normal that the permanent teeth newly appearing in the mouth are not of the same colour as the milk teeth previously present.