National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) Practice Exam

How many molars are typically found in the permanent dentition?

1. 10

2. 8

3. 12

4. 16

The correct answer is: 12

In the permanent dentition, adults typically have a total of 12 molar teeth. This includes three molars on each side of the upper and lower jaws (maxilla and mandible). The molars are usually designated as first molars, second molars, and third molars (often referred to as wisdom teeth). To break it down further, each quadrant of the mouth usually has three molars, leading to the total: - The first molars are located behind the premolars and typically erupt around age 6. - The second molars erupt around age 12. - The third molars, or wisdom teeth, generally erupt in late adolescence or early adulthood. The presence of 12 molars in total is standard unless there are variations due to individual dental anomalies, extractions, or other circumstances affecting the dentition. Understanding this arrangement helps clarify the functional role of molars in chewing and mechanical digestion.