Definition

1. Noun:
   • The kind, number, and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal: This refers to the complete set of teeth and their specific characteristics within a jaw.
   • The process or time of teething; the eruption of teeth through the gums: This refers to the developmental process of teeth emerging, particularly in infants.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Arrangement of teeth):

  • The fossil's dentition provided clues about its diet.
  • Comparative anatomy often studies the dentition of different species.

• Noun (Process of teething):

  • The baby was fussy during her dentition.
  • Dentition in humans typically begins around six months of age.

Advanced Usage

• "Mixed dentition": A stage when both primary (baby) and permanent teeth are present in the mouth.

  • Children in elementary school often have a mixed dentition.

• "Dentition pattern": The specific layout or formula of teeth types (e.g., incisors, canines, molars).

  • The carnivore's dentition pattern is adapted for tearing meat.

Variants and Related Words

• Teething (n): The process of teeth erupting through the gums; often used synonymously with the second meaning of 'dentition'.

  • Teething can be uncomfortable for infants.

• Odontogenesis (n): The biological process of tooth development, which includes dentition.

  • Odontogenesis is a complex biological process.

Synonyms

• Teeth (n): The hard, bony structures in the jaws used for biting and chewing. (Note: 'Teeth' refers to the structures themselves, while 'dentition' refers to their arrangement or the process of their emergence.)
• Teething (n): The process of getting teeth.

Related Phrases

(Note: 'Dentition' is a technical noun and does not commonly form phrasal verbs or idioms.)

• "Primary/Permanent dentition": Refers to the set of baby teeth or adult teeth, respectively.
  • Primary dentition consists of 20 teeth.

Noun

1. the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal
2. the eruption through the gums of baby teeth