Question

Dental formula for milk teeth is

• A. $\frac{2,1,2,3}{2,1,2,3}$
• B. $\frac{2,1,2,2}{2,1,2,2}$
• C. $\frac{2,1,0,2}{2,1,0,2}$
• D. $\frac{3,1,4,3}{3,1,4,3}$

Answer 1

The correct option is C $\frac{2,1,0,2}{2,1,0,2}$

The dental formula for milk teeth is $\frac{2,1,0,2}{2,1,0,2}$
The dental formula is given by the number of teeth present in one half of the upper jaw divided by the number of teeth present in one half of the lower jaw.
Milk teeth are temporary and they appear at the age of 6-11 months and finish appearing by the age of two. They are 20 in number.
$\frac{2}{2}$incisors, $\frac{1}{1}$canine, 0 premolars and $\frac{2}{2}$ molars.
Since the dental formula is given by one half of both upper jaw and lower jaw so it is multiplied by 2
$\frac{2,1,0,2}{2,1,0,2}\times \frac{2}{2}=\frac{10}{10}$
10 teeth on the upper jaw and 10 teeth on the lower jaw. So a total of 20 teeth are present.