Eruption of first permanent molars in 4- to 8-year-old children in Plovdiv

INTRODUCTION: The eruption age of the first permanent molars is one of the milestones by which the normal physical development of the child is evaluated. AIM: The need of current data about M1 eruption in 4- to 8-year-old children determines the aim of the present study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study includes 928 children from 4 to 8 years of age, from randomly selected kindergartens and schools in Plovdiv. The initial, mean and the latest age of eruption were determined. RESULTS: The data show that there is no statistically significant difference in the eruption age of first permanent molars between the two genders, as well as between the upper and lower jaw. Statistically significantly higher percentage of 4-5 and 5-6 year-old children have had first permanent molars in 1985 compared to their pairs in 2001. CONCLUSIONS: In 4- to 8-year-old children from Plovdiv the initial eruption age of first permanent molars is 5-6 years, the mean age--6-7 years, and the latest age--7-8 years.