A 5-year-old child presents having recently lost a primary central incisor (natural exfoliation, not trauma). Which of the following statements is correct?

Correct answer: A. The dental age is AHEAD of the chronological age

• A. CORRECT — Primary mandibular central incisors typically exfoliate around 6–7 years of age, and maxillary primary central incisors around 6.5–7.5 years. If a 5-year-old has already lost a primary central incisor by natural exfoliation, dental development is AHEAD of chronological age (earlier eruption/exfoliation than average).
• B. Loss of a central incisor at 5 years is directly relevant to assessing dental age.
• C. Early exfoliation implies advanced dental development, not equivalence.
• D. If the tooth was lost early, this cannot mean the dental age is behind.