Sequence and chronology of tooth eruption in children and adolescents from Santa Maria - southern Brazil

Resumo

The literature reports a standard chronological sequence in the eruption of permanent teeth. However, evidence indicates that regional differences may interfere in this process. Thus, the aim of the present study was to compare dental age and chronological age in children and adolescents in a city in southern Brazil to determine the specific pattern in this population. We analyzed the orthodontic records of 250 children and adolescents at the undergraduate course in dentistry of Universidade Franciscana in the city of Santa Maria (southern Brazil). The dental age of each individual was determined through the analysis of panoramic radiographs using the Nolla’s method. Data were also collected on the child’s chronological age, sex, and race. No significant difference was found between average chronological age and that determined using Nolla’s method, indicating that dental and chronological age are similar in this population. However, the eruption periods of all tooth groups were slightly ahead in comparison to the world standard.