The process and timeline of permanent teeth replacing primary teeth.

Permanent teeth begin replacing primary teeth around age 6, starting with the first molars and lower central incisors. This process continues until about age 12-13, with wisdom teeth potentially erupting between ages 17-25. Adults develop 32 permanent teeth total, though many people have their wisdom teeth removed. The transition period where children have both primary and permanent teeth is called mixed dentition. During this phase, monitoring tooth alignment is important as crowding or spacing issues may emerge. Regular dental visits during this period help identify potential orthodontic needs early.