How many permanent teeth do adults typically have?

• A. 28
• B. 30
• C. 20
• D. 32

Answer: (D)

Permanent teeth in adults are typically 32. Each of the four mouth quadrants has 8 teeth: 2 incisors, 1 canine, 2 premolars, and 3 molars. Four quadrants × 8 teeth = 32. Some people don’t have all four wisdom teeth or may have them removed, which can reduce the count to 28 or fewer, but the standard number is 32. This differs from the 20 primary teeth children have.