Final answer:
The proper occlusion of erupting permanent teeth is indeed dependent on the primary teeth as they are shed. Primary teeth guide the alignment of the permanent teeth, and their early loss or misalignment can affect the eventual positioning of the permanent set.
Step-by-step explanation:
True or False: Proper occlusion of the erupting permanent teeth is dependent on that of the primary teeth as they are shed. This statement is true. Proper alignment and occlusion of permanent teeth are indeed dependent on the primary teeth. The primary teeth maintain the proper space for the erupting permanent teeth to come in. Deciduous teeth, or baby teeth, emerge in infancy and are typically lost and replaced by permanent teeth during middle childhood. The permanent teeth which replace them consist of incisors, canines, premolars, and molars; notably, the third molars or wisdom teeth generally emerge later in late adolescence or early adulthood. Additionally, the alignment of primary teeth sets a pattern that affects the positioning of permanent teeth, and early loss or misalignment can lead to crowded or misaligned permanent teeth.