Development of third molars in children in Istria

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of third molars in children in Istria aged 7 to 18. The study was performed on 2350 panoramic radiographs of children in Istria that have been analysed and then divided into 7 age groups. Each of these groups consisted of the same number of boys and girls. It has been found that the development of third molars starts earlier in the mandible, and that before the age of 12 there are more third molars in the mandible than in the maxilla (p < 0.01). Nine-year old girls have statistically significantly more third molars than the boys of that age, but twelve year old boys have more than the girls. The differences in the prevalence of third molars between the jaw sides was statistically significant only for mandibles of twelve year old girls. Hypodontia of third molars has been found in 4.5% of boys and 5.8% of girls aged 14 to 18.