National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) Practice Exam

In the primary dentition, are there any premolars present?

1. True

2. False

3. Only in some cases

4. Only in the maxillary arch

The correct answer is: False

In primary dentition, there are no premolars present. During this stage, children typically have a set of 20 primary teeth, which includes incisors, canines, and molars, but it does not include premolars. The primary molars are replaced by permanent premolars as the child grows and loses their primary teeth. Understanding this structure is important because it reflects the developmental stages of a child's dental health and informs dental professionals about care, treatment planning, and what to expect during various phases of development. The primary dentition lays the foundation for the alignment and health of permanent teeth, including the emergence of premolars later on.