Mamelons on Teeth
In dentistry, a mamelon is a rounded bump on the edge of a tooth. It’s made of enamel, like the rest of the tooth’s outer covering.
Mamelons appear on some types of newly erupted teeth (teeth that have just broken through the gumline). There are three mamelons on each tooth. Together, the mamelons create a scalloped, wavy edge.
Mamelon means “nipple” in French. This refers to the way each bump protrudes from the tooth.
You might notice mamelons on the permanent teeth of children. However, it’s possible for adults to have them as well.
In this article, we’ll explain what mamelons are and why some adults have them. We’ll also discuss options for mamelon removal.
Share on PinterestSeen here are mamelons on the two lower central and the lateral right incisors. They occur more often in children and tend to wear down early in life. Image by Marcos Gridi-Papp/CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
What teeth do mamelons appear on?
Mamelons only appear on newly erupted incisor teeth. They’re usually found on permanent (adult) incisors, but they can show up on primary (baby) incisors too.
You have eight incisors in total. Four incisors are in the upper middle of your mouth, and four are in the lower middle.
You use your incisors to cut into food. For example, when you bite into a sandwich, you use these teeth.
Since the incisors are in the front and center of your mouth, they make up most of your smile. They’re also the most visible teeth when you talk.
Why are mamelons there?
It’s speculated mamelons exist to help teeth break through the gums. However, it’s generally agreed that they don’t have any clinical significance.
What happens to mamelons
Typically, treatment isn’t needed for mamelons.
Most people eventually wear away the humps through normal chewing. The mamelons are smoothed out as the upper and lower front teeth come into contact.
But if your teeth are misaligned, the mamelons may not go away.
This usually happens if you have an open bite, in which the front teeth don’t vertically overlap. As a result, the front teeth don’t come into contact, and the mamelons remain in adulthood.
You may also still have mamelons if your teeth grew in late.
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Mamelon Removal
If you’re interested in mamelon removal, talk to a dentist. They can remove mamelons by shaving the edges of your teeth.
The treatment is a form of cosmetic dentistry. It’s known as:
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tooth reshaping
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tooth recontouring
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tooth shaving
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cosmetic contouring
This can be done in a dentist’s office. The dentist uses a file, disc, or drill to remove enamel and smooth out the edges.
The treatment is painless and doesn’t require a local anesthetic. That’s because mamelons are made of enamel and don’t contain any nerves.
Plus, the procedure is very quick. You can go home the same day, and there isn’t any recovery time.
It’s also usually inexpensive, but you might have to pay out of pocket. Since this is a cosmetic treatment, your insurance provider might not cover the cost. So it’s best to check with your provider first.
If you need to pay out of pocket, be sure to confirm the cost with your dentist before receiving treatment.
Why remove mamelons?
Mamelons aren’t harmful. They also don’t interfere with oral health or chewing habits.
However, you might want to remove them for aesthetic reasons. If you have mamelons and don’t like how they look, talk to a dentist about removal.
Your mamelons won’t grow back once they are removed. The removal is permanent.
Takeaway
Mamelons are the rounded humps on the edge of teeth. They only appear on incisors, which are the four front teeth in each jaw. These bumps don’t have a specific purpose or function.
Additionally, mamelons are most noticeable when the adult incisors first erupt. They’re usually smoothed out by chewing over time.
If your teeth aren’t properly aligned, you might still have mamelons. Talk to a dentist if you want to get them removed. They can reshape the edges of your teeth and file away the bumps.
Deciduous Teeth
What are deciduous teeth?
Deciduous teeth is the official term for baby teeth, milk teeth, or primary teeth. Deciduous teeth start developing during the embryonic stage and then commonly begin to come in about 6 months after birth.
There are typically 20 primary teeth — 10 upper and 10 lower. Commonly, most of them erupt by the time the child is about 2½ years old.
When will my baby’s teeth come in?
Typically, your baby’s teeth will start coming in when they’re about 6 months old. The first tooth to come in is usually the central incisor — middle, front tooth — on the lower jaw. The second tooth to come is usually right next to the first: the second central incisor on the lower jaw.
The next four teeth to come in are usually the four upper incisors. They usually start erupting about two months after the same tooth on the lower jaw comes in.
The second molars are usually the last of the 20 deciduous teeth, coming in when your baby is about 2½ years old.
Everyone is different: Some get their baby teeth earlier, some get them later. If you have questions or concerns about your child’s primary teeth, ask your dentist.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry suggests that your baby’s first dental visit should be before they reach age 1, within 6 months after their first tooth appears.
When do permanent teeth come in?
Your child’s 20 baby teeth will be replaced with 32 permanent, or adult, teeth.
You can expect your child to begin losing their deciduous teeth around the age of 6. The first ones to go are commonly the first that came in: the central incisors.
Your child will usually lose the last deciduous tooth, typically the cuspid or second molar, around the age of 12.
How are deciduous teeth different from adult teeth?
The differences between primary teeth and adult teeth include:
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Enamel. Enamel is the hard outer surface that protects your teeth from decay. It’s usually thinner on primary teeth.
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Color. Deciduous teeth often look whiter. This can be attributed to thinner enamel.
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Size. Primary teeth are typically smaller than permanent adult teeth.
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Shape. Front permanent teeth often come in with bumps that tend to wear off over time.
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Roots. Roots of baby teeth are shorter and thinner because they’re designed to fall out.
Takeaway
Deciduous teeth — also known as baby teeth, primary teeth, or milk teeth — are your first teeth. They start developing during the embryonic stage and start to erupt through the gums about 6 months after birth. All 20 of them are typically in by age 2½.
The deciduous teeth start falling out around age 6 to be replaced by 32 permanent adult teeth.
What Are the Different Types of Teeth Called?
What are the types of teeth?
Your teeth are one of the strongest parts of your body. They’re made from proteins such as collagen, and minerals such as calcium. In addition to helping you chew through even the toughest foods, they also help you speak clearly.
Most adults have 32 teeth, called permanent or secondary teeth:
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8 incisors
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4 canines, also called cuspids
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8 premolars, also called bicuspids
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12 molars, including 4 wisdom teeth
Children have just 20 teeth, called primary, temporary, or milk teeth. They include the same 10 teeth in the upper and lower jaw:
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4 incisors
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2 canines
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4 molars
Primary teeth start to erupt through the gums when a baby is about 6 months old. The lower incisors are usually the first primary teeth to come in. Most kids have all 20 of their primary teeth by age 3.
Children tend to lose their primary teeth between the ages of 6 and 12. They’re then replaced by permanent teeth. Molars are usually the first permanent teeth to come in. Most people have all of their permanent teeth in place by age 21.
Keep reading to learn more about the different types of teeth, including their shape and function.
What are incisors?
Your eight incisor teeth are located in the front part of your mouth. You have four of them in your upper jaw and four in your lower jaw.
Incisors are shaped like small chisels. They have sharp edges that help you bite into food. Whenever you sink your teeth into something, such as an apple, you use your incisor teeth.
Incisors are usually the first set of teeth to erupt, appearing at about 6 months old. The adult set grows in between the ages of 6 and 8.
What are canines?
Your four canine teeth sit next to the incisors. You have two canines on the top of your mouth and two on the bottom.
Canines have a sharp, pointy surface for tearing food.
The first baby canines come in between the ages of 16 months and 20 months. The upper canines grow in first, followed by the lower canines.
Lower adult canines emerge in the opposite way. First, the lower canines poke through the gums around age 9, then the upper canines come in at age 11 or 12.
What are premolars?
Your eight premolars sit next to your canines. There are four premolars on top, and four on the bottom.
Premolars are bigger than canines and incisors. They have a flat surface with ridges for crushing and grinding food into smaller pieces to make it easier to swallow.
Baby molar teeth are replaced by adult premolars. Infants and young children don’t have premolars because these teeth don’t start to come in until around age 10.
What are molars?
Your 12 molars are your biggest and strongest teeth. You have six on the top and six on the bottom. The main eight molars are sometimes divided into your 6-year and 12-year molars, based on when they typically grow in.
The large surface area of your molars helps them grind up food. When you eat, your tongue pushes food to the back of your mouth. Then, your molars break up the food into pieces small enough for you to swallow.
The molars include four wisdom teeth, which are the last set of teeth to come in. They usually come in between the ages of 17 and 25. Wisdom teeth are also called third molars.
Not everyone has enough room in their mouth for this last group of teeth. Sometimes, the wisdom teeth are impacted, meaning they’re stuck under the gums. This means they don’t have space to grow in. If you don’t have room for your wisdom teeth, you’ll likely have to have them removed.
The Bottom Line
Your 32 teeth are essential for biting and grinding up food. You also need your teeth to help you speak clearly. While your teeth are solidly built, they won’t last a lifetime unless you take good care of them.
To keep your teeth in good shape, floss and brush regularly, and follow up with professional dental cleanings every six months.
