The idea that men and women have different numbers of teeth is a common question, often raised due to various physical distinctions between the sexes. To address this topic accurately, it is necessary to examine the biological facts of human dentition and clarify the difference between tooth count and tooth morphology.
The Standard Adult Tooth Count
The definitive answer to whether men have more teeth than women is no; the standard tooth count is the same for both sexes. A healthy adult human typically develops a full set of 32 permanent teeth. This total includes eight incisors, four canines, eight premolars, and twelve molars, which include the four third molars, commonly known as wisdom teeth.
The 32 teeth are equally distributed between the upper and lower jaws, with 16 teeth in each arch. Before the permanent teeth emerge, children have a set of 20 deciduous, or “baby,” teeth. This primary dentition also does not exhibit any difference in count based on sex.
Differences in Size and Structure
While the number of teeth is consistent, significant biological differences exist in the size and shape of individual teeth between the sexes, a phenomenon known as sexual dimorphism. Males generally possess teeth with larger overall dimensions compared to females. This size difference affects both the tooth crown (the visible part) and the root length.
The largest and most consistent size differences are frequently observed in the canines and molars. Male teeth tend to have a greater volume of dentine, the tissue directly beneath the enamel, which contributes to the increased overall size of the tooth crown. Female teeth, while smaller, sometimes exhibit a relatively thicker layer of enamel.
These measurable size and shape variations are useful in forensic science for determining the sex of an individual from dental remains. For instance, measurements of the canine’s mesiodistal width (side-to-side) and buccolingual width (cheek-to-tongue) are often more pronounced in males. Analyzing these morphological differences provides biological context beyond a simple count.
Developmental Variations That Affect Count
The confusion about different tooth counts often arises from variations that cause an individual’s final number to deviate from the standard 32. The most frequent cause of a reduced count is the absence or surgical removal of the third molars. Many adults only have 28 teeth because these four wisdom teeth were extracted or never fully developed.
Other developmental anomalies can also alter the count, but these are not standard features tied to sex. Hypodontia is a condition where a person is congenitally missing one or more teeth, excluding wisdom teeth. Conversely, supernumerary teeth, or hyperdontia, involve having extra teeth beyond the normal complement.
These genetic or developmental variations are the true source of differing tooth counts among adults. While some studies suggest a slight tendency for hypodontia to be more prevalent in females and hyperdontia in males, these are statistical predispositions to anomalies, not examples of a standard biological difference in the typical human dental formula. The standard count remains the same regardless of gender, with individual deviations resulting from these factors.