A Contemporary Examination of First and Second Permanent Molar Emergence

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Dentistry
• Public Health
• Developmental Biology

Background:

• Emergence of first permanent molars (FPMs) and second permanent molars (SPMs) is a critical developmental stage.
• Emergence timing is influenced by sex, race/ethnicity, and adiposity.
• Rising pediatric overweight/obesity rates necessitate understanding their impact on dental development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between body mass index (BMI) and FPM/SPM emergence in a US representative sample.
• To assess how overweight/obesity influences the timing of permanent molar eruption in children and adolescents.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional analysis of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data (2009-2014).
• Calculation of age- and sex-specific BMI percentiles using CDC growth charts.
• Multivariate regression analyses adjusting for age, sex, and race/ethnicity.

Main Results:

• Earlier FPM emergence was associated with overweight/obesity, especially in Black females.
• Obesity, but not overweight, was linked to earlier SPM emergence.
• Overweight/obesity accounted for an average dental acceleration of 6 to 12 months.

Conclusions:

• FPM/SPM emergence varies by race/ethnicity and sex, and is positively influenced by BMI.
• Pediatric overweight/obesity is associated with accelerated permanent molar emergence.
• Understanding these variations is crucial for clinical care and caries risk assessment.