Which statement correctly describes the development location for permanent premolars and molars?

• A. They develop on the lingual side of deciduous teeth
• B. They develop between the divergent roots of baby teeth
• C. They develop within the deciduous tooth sockets
• D. They develop in the maxillary sinus

Answer: (B)

Permanent premolars and molars form in the jaw in the spaces between the roots of the deciduous teeth. As the baby teeth roots diverge and resorb to make room for eruption, a space opens in which the tooth germs for the permanent posteriors develop. This interradicular region is the site where the crowns of these permanent teeth begin to form, not inside the sockets of deciduous teeth, not on the lingual side, and not in the maxillary sinus. So the correct idea is that they develop between the divergent roots of the baby teeth.