What is the complete set of mandibular teeth?

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Complete Set of Mandibular Teeth

The complete set of mandibular (lower) teeth consists of 16 permanent teeth in the fully developed adult dentition, arranged symmetrically across the lower jaw.

Tooth Composition by Type

The mandibular arch contains the following teeth on each side (total 16 teeth):

  • 4 incisors (2 central incisors and 2 lateral incisors in the anterior region) 1
  • 2 canines (1 on each side, positioned lateral to the incisors) 1
  • 4 premolars (2 on each side: first and second premolars) 1
  • 6 molars (3 on each side: first molar, second molar, and third molar/wisdom tooth) 1

Anatomical Distribution

The mandibular teeth are distributed along the U-shaped mandibular arch, with critical anatomical relationships:

  • The teeth are positioned along the mandibular canal, which houses the inferior alveolar nerve that provides sensation to the lower lip, chin, anterior tongue, and mandibular teeth 1, 2, 3
  • The mandibular first molar typically measures 5.0-8.0 mm mesiodistally (average 6.5 mm), which is larger than its maxillary counterpart 4
  • The third molars (wisdom teeth) are located in the retromolar region and may fail to erupt properly if insufficient space exists in the mandibular arch 5

Clinical Considerations

The number and arrangement of mandibular teeth directly influences mandibular morphology and function:

  • The presence of 11 or more teeth in the mandible significantly affects the mandibular angle and ramus height, with tooth loss leading to characteristic morphological changes 6
  • Mandibular devices for sleep apnea treatment require engagement of both maxillary and mandibular arches, with the number of teeth included in the appliance framework affecting treatment outcomes 1
  • Normal mandibular dental arch length must accommodate all teeth including the third molar, requiring a dental arch-total teeth size difference of at least 0.71-1.20 cm in males and 0.76-1.10 cm in females 5

Common Variations

Numerical anomalies can affect the mandibular dentition:

  • Hypodontia (one or more missing teeth) and oligodontia (less than 50% of teeth present) can occur, though complete anodontia is rare 1
  • Supernumerary teeth are less common in the mandible than the maxilla, occurring in only 0.2-3.6% of permanent dentitions 1

References

1
Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

2
Guideline

Mandibular Jaw Fracture Symptoms and Associated Injuries

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2025

3
Guideline

Management of Mandibular Fractures in the Emergency Setting

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2026

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Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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