Reference Values for Permanent-Tooth Emergence in Hungarian Children: A Cross-Sectional Study

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Human Biology
• Pediatric Health

Background:

• Accurate diagnosis and treatment planning require population-specific data on permanent tooth eruption.
• Hungarian clinical practice currently uses outdated international eruption standards.
• Establishing local standards is crucial for effective public health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the timing and sequence of permanent tooth emergence in Hungarian children.
• To provide sex-specific eruption standards for the Hungarian population.
• To update current clinical practice with localized, evidence-based data.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study analyzed dental screening records of 2948 Hungarian children aged 4-15 years.
• Probit regression estimated median eruption times and percentiles.
• Eruption sequences were assessed by sex and jaw location.

Main Results:

• Girls generally exhibited earlier permanent tooth eruption than boys, with notable exceptions.
• Mandibular teeth typically erupted before maxillary teeth, with sex-specific variations observed.
• Eruption ranges varied significantly, with second molars showing the widest range and maxillary central incisors the narrowest.

Conclusions:

• This research presents the first modern, sex-specific permanent tooth eruption standards for Hungarian children.
• These new reference values are clinically valuable for identifying delayed eruption.
• The findings support optimized timing for preventive dental care and orthodontic interventions.