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Eruption of first permanent molars in 4- to 8-year-old children in Plovdiv
Emilia L Ilieva1, Vania K Veleganova, Ani B Belcheva
1Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Medical University, 15A Vassil Aprilov St., 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
Insights
The eruption age of first permanent molars (M1) in children aged 4-8 years shows no gender or jaw differences. However, M1 eruption occurred earlier in 1985 compared to 2001.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Child Development
- Dental Anthropology
Background:
- First permanent molar (M1) eruption is a key indicator of normal physical development in children.
- Establishing normative eruption data is crucial for monitoring child growth and development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the current eruption timeline of first permanent molars (M1) in children aged 4 to 8 years.
- To provide updated data on M1 eruption patterns for clinical and research purposes.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 928 children aged 4-8 years from Plovdiv.
- Random sampling of kindergartens and schools to ensure representative data.
- Determination of initial, mean, and latest eruption ages for M1.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences were observed in M1 eruption age between genders or between the upper and lower jaws.
- A statistically significant increase in the percentage of children with erupted M1 was noted in younger age groups (4-5 and 5-6 years) in 1985 compared to 2001.
- The study identified specific age ranges for initial, mean, and latest M1 eruption.
Conclusions:
- The initial eruption age for M1 in children aged 4-8 years in Plovdiv is between 5-6 years, with a mean age of 6-7 years, and the latest eruption by 7-8 years.
- The findings suggest a potential shift in M1 eruption timing over time, with earlier eruption observed in the past.
- Updated data on M1 eruption are essential for accurate developmental assessments in pediatric populations.
Introduction:
The eruption age of the first permanent molars is one of the milestones by which the normal physical development of the child is evaluated.
Aim:
The need of current data about M1 eruption in 4- to 8-year-old children determines the aim of the present study.
Material And Methods:
The study includes 928 children from 4 to 8 years of age, from randomly selected kindergartens and schools in Plovdiv. The initial, mean and the latest age of eruption were determined.
Results:
The data show that there is no statistically significant difference in the eruption age of first permanent molars between the two genders, as well as between the upper and lower jaw. Statistically significantly higher percentage of 4-5 and 5-6 year-old children have had first permanent molars in 1985 compared to their pairs in 2001.
Conclusions:
In 4- to 8-year-old children from Plovdiv the initial eruption age of first permanent molars is 5-6 years, the mean age--6-7 years, and the latest age--7-8 years.
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