Small, bumpy ridges on the biting edge of newly erupted permanent front teeth are known as mamelons, and their presence is an entirely normal part of dental development, particularly in children and adolescents. This article explores the biological origin of mamelons, the natural process of their removal, and the circumstances under which professional intervention may be necessary.
Understanding the Formation of Mamelons
Mamelons are small, rounded protuberances found on the incisal edge of the permanent incisors, which are the four upper and four lower front teeth. These scalloped edges are the result of how the tooth forms beneath the gums during development. Each permanent incisor is initially constructed from three separate sections of enamel, known as developmental lobes, which ultimately fuse together. The slight indentations where these three lobes meet are what we identify as mamelons, giving the new tooth a somewhat serrated appearance. Mamelons are composed solely of soft enamel, and they are believed to assist the permanent teeth in breaking through the gum tissue more easily during the eruption process.
Do Mamelons Go Away Naturally?
Mamelons disappear on their own due to a natural biological process called attrition. Attrition refers to the gradual wear and tear on the tooth surface that occurs from normal daily functions like chewing and biting. The friction created by the upper and lower teeth coming into contact with each other naturally wears down the soft enamel ridges. For a majority of people, this natural smoothing process takes place within a few months to a few years after the permanent front teeth have fully erupted. If the bite is correctly aligned, the continuous, light grinding from everyday chewing is typically sufficient to smooth the incisal edge completely. While the timing is variable, this smoothing usually happens during late childhood and adolescence.
When Dental Intervention is Needed
Mamelons may persist into adulthood if the natural wear process is prevented, which is most often caused by a form of malocclusion, or improper bite alignment. If a patient has an open bite, for example, the upper and lower front teeth do not meet correctly, eliminating the necessary friction for natural attrition to occur. In these cases, the mamelons remain visible. When mamelons persist due to misalignment or if a patient desires faster cosmetic correction, a simple procedure known as enameloplasty is an option. Enameloplasty, also called tooth contouring or reshaping, is a quick, minimally invasive treatment to gently smooth the edges of the teeth. The dentist uses a fine sanding disc or bur to remove the small amount of excess enamel, and because mamelons lack nerve endings, the process is generally painless and does not require local anesthesia. The procedure provides immediate results, permanently removing the ridges and creating a straight, even edge on the incisors.