Final answer:
Adult human normal dentition includes a full set of 32 permanent teeth, consisting of incisors, canines, premolars, and molars, each specialized for different functions in the process of mastication.
Step-by-step explanation:
Adult human normal dentition includes 32 permanent teeth. Over the course of their lifetime, humans develop two sets of teeth: deciduous (baby) teeth and permanent teeth. Around the age of six, children begin to lose their deciduous teeth, which are gradually replaced by a full set of permanent teeth.
These 32 teeth are comprised of different types that evolve to handle the mechanical processes of eating. The eight incisors are your sharp front teeth responsible for biting into foods. Flanking the incisors are the four cuspids, or canines, with their pointed edges designed for tearing food. Further back are the premolars or bicuspids, eight in total, which have a flatter shape for mashing food. Finally, the 12 molars are the most posterior teeth, including the wisdom teeth, which are used for crushing food in preparation for swallowing.