Dental development is a dynamic process during adolescence, and the age of 16 represents a transitional period in the formation of a complete adult dentition. The most common count for teeth that are typically visible and functional at this age is 28. This number represents the full set of permanent teeth present before the final molars emerge, requiring a look at which teeth have fully erupted and which are still developing.
The Standard Count of Permanent Teeth
By the age of 16, the process of shedding deciduous, or “baby,” teeth should be complete, replaced entirely by their permanent successors. This standard set of 28 teeth is composed of different functional types necessary for speech and chewing. The set includes eight incisors for cutting food and four pointed canine teeth for tearing. Moving backward, the dentition includes eight premolars, or bicuspids, which are transitional teeth that grind food. Finally, there are eight molars—specifically the first and second molars—which are large, flat teeth responsible for heavy chewing and grinding.
The Status of Wisdom Teeth in Adolescence
The fluctuation between a count of 28 and the full adult count of 32 teeth is entirely due to the status of the third molars. These four additional teeth, commonly known as wisdom teeth, are the last to form and are not typically included in the functional 28-tooth count for a 16-year-old. At this age, the wisdom teeth are usually still developing deep within the bone of the jaw, often remaining completely unerupted. The average age range for the eruption of third molars is generally later, between 17 and 25 years old. Because they are still encased in bone, they do not contribute to the visible or functional dental arch at age 16. Dentists commonly use specialized X-rays, such as a panoramic radiograph, to monitor the developmental position and trajectory of these developing teeth. If a 16-year-old’s wisdom teeth have unexpectedly broken through the gum line, their count might momentarily be higher, but this is less common.
Variations and Why the Number Might Be Different
While 28 is the standard count, individual dental histories often introduce variations that result in a different total. One common reason for a lower count is prior orthodontic treatment aimed at correcting alignment or crowding issues. Orthodontists sometimes recommend the extraction of four premolars to create necessary space before braces are applied. Teeth may also be missing due to non-orthodontic reasons, such as removal following severe decay, fracture from an injury, or congenital conditions. A genetic condition called hypodontia causes a developmental absence of one or more permanent teeth. Conversely, some people may have a higher count than 28 or 32 due to supernumerary teeth, which are extra teeth that form beyond the normal series.