A person usually has 20 primary teeth. All of the primary teeth are replaced by the eruption of permanent teeth by the age of 12-14. (A very important note: The 6-year molars will erupt behind the last primary tooth in the mouth. Some parents are not aware these are permanent teeth and do not realize how important they are.) A delay in the loss of the primary teeth may lead to orthodontic problems. Dr. Boyd may sometimes advise the removal of these “over-retained” primary teeth to help the eruption of the permanent teeth. “Sometimes it is best to make something happen rather than wait for something to happen”.