---
title: "What Is Primary molars? Dental Glossary | Town Center Dental"
description: "Primary molars are the eight back baby teeth, used for chewing, that hold space for the adult premolars that replace them."
url: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/primary-molars
publisher: Town Center Dental
phone: +1-636-273-5866
quote: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment
---

Pediatric

# Primary molars

Primary molars are the eight back baby teeth, used for chewing, that hold space for the adult premolars that replace them.

Children have four primary molars in the upper jaw and four in the lower jaw, two on each side. They are wider than the front teeth and have deep grooves, which can trap food and make them cavity-prone. A study in the NIH library says primary teeth play a vital role in eating, speech, appearance, and as space maintainers for permanent teeth. Because some primary molars stay in the mouth until age 11 or 12, they need care. Sealants and good brushing help protect them. If one is lost early, a [space maintainer](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/space-maintainer) may be needed. A badly decayed one may get a [stainless steel crown](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/stainless-steel-crown). See [dental sealant](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-sealant) and our page on [dental sealants](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/dental-sealants).

[Town Center Dental can helpDental Sealants](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/dental-sealants)

## Related terms

-   [Space maintainer](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/space-maintainer)
-   [Stainless steel crown](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/stainless-steel-crown)
-   [Dental sealant](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-sealant)
-   [Primary teeth (baby teeth)](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/primary-teeth-baby-teeth)
-   [Molar](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/molar)

## Sources

1.  [NIH PubMed Central: Knowledge and Awareness of Primary Teeth and Their Importance among Parents in Bengaluru City, India](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4890064/)

## Ready when you are

[Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866)