[Mean age of dental eruption in a school-age population analyzed by 2 methods].

BACKGROUND

Because dental eruption is the result of a series of physiological events, it is important to acknowledge precisely the mean age of exfoliation and eruption of each dental organ. This is useful to establish diagnostic, preventive and treatment criteria. The aim of this study was to compare the cross-sectional and cohort methods toward estimating the average age of dental eruption.

METHODS

The study sample was comprised of 524 school-age children from the State of Mexico (273 females and 251 males). Only permanent teeth were surveyed: the first upper molar and central and lateral incisors and the first lower molar. The cohort was observed during a 3-year period until the tooth budded. Dental mirror, tongue depressor and day light were used. Cross-sectional method consisted of permanent teeth observed after the first year.

RESULTS

In both methods, teeth budded first in females. The average ages of dental eruption according to both methods did not show statistical difference in 88% of the teeth.

CONCLUSIONS

Measurement of the age of dental eruption through cross-sectional method provides reliable data in relation to the cohort method.