If the lower permanent canines have erupted, what is the most likely age of the patient?

The eruption of lower permanent canines typically occurs around the ages of 9 to 10 years old. This general timeline is supported by dental development charts, which indicate that the lower canines are one of the last of the primary teeth to be replaced by permanent ones in the majority of children.

At 6-8 years old, children are generally undergoing the primary to mixed dentition stage, with the central incisors having erupted, but not yet the canines. By the age of 11-12 years, most children will have all of their permanent teeth erupted, including the permanent canines. The 7-9 age range falls slightly earlier than what is observed for the eruption of lower canines, which solidly supports 9-10 years as the most accurate estimate. Thus, the age of the patient is best reflected by the eruption pattern observed in the development of dental anatomy.