Evaluation of the age and pattern of the eruption of permanent teeth in school-age children in Peshawar, aged 5 to 15 years

Abstract

Introduction: Dental crowns and roots can be examined using radiographic techniques for calcification, growth, and development. However, a clinical examination of the oral cavity is preferred for determining dental age due to its low cost, lack of requirement for specific tools or knowledge, and is less time consuming. The objective of this research was to relationship of age ranges with dental eruption sequence and impact of gender on the timing of eruption in school children of Peshawar.

Material and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in ten public schools for boys and girls that were randomly chosen from Peshawar. Using a multi-stage sample technique, 935 students between the ages of 5 and 15 who appeared to be in good physical and mental health were screened. The dental examinations were performed in both daylight and using a torch, by a trained dental professional, with the emergence of teeth through the gingiva considered as the criterion for eruption.

Results:  Mandibular teeth emerged earlier than their counterpart in maxillary dentition besides premolars in both genders. Dental eruption in girls was comparatively earlier than in boys. The mandibular permanent1^st molar was the first tooth that erupts in boys, while the mandibular central incisor was the first one in girls. Maxillary Permanent Second Molar erupts last in both genders.

Conclusions:  The research manifest that the dental eruption timings of school children resident of Peshawar were un-matched in a few aspects and accord in others when compared with the statistics detailed in the published literature.