What does a mixed dentition typically consist of?

A mixed dentition refers to the period in a child's dental development when both deciduous (primary) teeth and permanent (secondary) teeth are present in the mouth simultaneously. This stage typically occurs between the ages of 6 to 12 years, starting with the eruption of the first permanent molars and the loss of primary teeth.

During this stage, children will often have a combination of their primary teeth, which they initially grow, along with the emergence of permanent teeth that will replace the primary ones. This transition is a normal part of dental development and is essential for proper alignment and spacing of the permanent teeth as they erupt.

In contrast to the mixed dentition, having only permanent teeth reflects a later stage in dental development, while having only deciduous teeth indicates a much earlier stage, typically in infancy or early childhood. Orthodontic appliances might be used during mixed dentition to help guide the growth and alignment of teeth, but they do not define the type of dentition present. Therefore, the correct answer highlights the distinctive nature of mixed dentition as the coexistence of both primary and secondary teeth.