Final answer:
Permanent teeth, which replace deciduous teeth during middle childhood, consist of 32 teeth: 8 incisors, 4 canines, 8 premolars, and 12 molars, including the wisdom teeth that emerge in early adulthood.
Step-by-step explanation:
During middle childhood, permanent teeth begin to replace deciduous teeth, a process that typically occurs between the ages of 6 and 12. Permanent teeth are the second set of teeth that humans develop and include 32 individual teeth. These teeth consist of 8 incisors used for biting, 4 canines for tearing, 8 premolars for mashing, and 12 molars for crushing food, the latter of which includes the wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth usually emerge in early adulthood and are often impacted, requiring removal through orthodontic surgery.
The first deciduous teeth to be replaced by permanent teeth are usually the eight incisors, which are lost between the ages of six and eight. The incisors are followed by the premolars, typically lost between the ages of nine and 12, and the canines, lost between the ages of ten and 13. The second permanent molars emerge between 11 and 13 years of age.