What Are Mamelon Teeth?

Mamelon teeth appear on the lower and upper incisors – the thin, straight teeth toward the front of the mouth used for biting and tearing off small pieces of food. Mamelons are small, wavy protuberances along the biting edge of the tooth. The tooth edge might appear to have a scalloped edge, or may resemble the serrated edge on a steak knife.

Mamelons form when the enamel fuses while the tooth is still developing under the gums. Each of the eight front teeth develops from several lobes that fuse before the tooth pokes through the gum tissue along the pink bony gingival ridge. These little serrations of enamel help the tooth poke through the gums so the entire tooth can erupt.

Mamelons usually don't last for very long. Parents often notice mamelons when the permanent top and bottom front teeth first begin to peek through the gum tissue. These tiny little bumps generally wear down over time as the child begins using their teeth to chew. If tooth eruption is delayed or the child has an occlusion discrepancy, where their bite does not naturally grind, mamelons may not wear away by adulthood. A malocclusion will require orthodontic treatment.

Mamelons do not cause any harm or interfere with your oral health. However, you might wish to remove your mamelons for cosmetic reasons. Removal requires a simple cosmetic dentistry procedure called tooth shaving or recontouring.

Your dentist will use a file, disc, or drill to shave the enamel and smooth the edges of your teeth. This treatment will not require any local anesthetic since the mamelon does not contain any nerves. Plus, it's quick and does not require any recovery time. 

Tooth shaving is usually inexpensive, but your insurance provider might not cover the cost of a cosmetic procedure, so check to see if you will need to pay out of pocket.

Mamelon teeth are a normal part of tooth development that cannot be prevented. However, you can encourage the natural smoothing of the mamelons on your child’s teeth by providing a nutritious diet full of crunchy fruits and vegetables and healthy proteins.

For young children, mamelons are completely normal and generally wear down with time. Dentists will usually take a wait-and-see approach, but if you are concerned about the appearance of bumpy mamelons on teeth, talk to your dental professional about smoothing them out at your next appointment.

Are mamelon teeth normal or do they indicate a dental issue?

Mamelons are a perfectly normal part of tooth development and are not associated with any dental conditions. In fact, mamelons help the teeth to erupt through the gums. 

At what age do mamelon teeth typically appear ? 

Mamelons appear on newly erupted teeth. In babies and toddlers, those primary (baby) teeth usually erupt between six months and three years old. In children, the permanent (adult) teeth typically erupt between six and 12 years old.  

Do mamelon teeth go away over time?

Mamelons on the teeth usually smooth away over time, disappearing by adulthood. However, in rare cases, some adults will still have mamelon teeth. 

Oral Care Center articles are reviewed by an oral health medical professional. This information is for educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist, physician or other qualified healthcare provider.