Factors Associated With Third Molar Eruption in the Assamese Inhabitants of Northeast India

TL;DR

This study examines factors influencing third molar eruption in Assamese individuals, finding gender and location differences in eruption patterns.

Contribution

The study identifies sociodemographic factors influencing third molar eruption in Assam, India, with gender-specific and regional variations.

Findings

Males had a lower mean age of non-eruption compared to females.

Urban males and underweight females showed higher rates of non-eruption.

Females experienced earlier third molar eruption in upper jaws compared to males.

Abstract

Background

Genetic, nutritional, and regional factors should be considered when designing a technique to estimate age based on third molar eruption (TME), as they influence the eruption process of teeth. This study aims to investigate the sociodemographic characteristics associated with TME, as well as the average age of eruption of third molar teeth (M3) in Assamese individuals.

Methodology

This study included 753 participants, aged 14 to 26 years, comprising both rural and urban residents from the north-eastern Indian state of Assam. TME stages were determined using a conventional clinical dental examination. The participants underwent detailed medical screenings to determine their individual height and weight, calculate their body mass index (BMI), and rule out any obvious congenital or developmental abnormalities based on the clinical physical examination.

Results

Of the 753 participants, 302 (40.1%) had either partial or complete eruption of the third molars. The mean age of non-eruption was lower in males (mean ± standard deviation (SD) = 16.80 ± 2.11) than that of females (mean ± SD = 17.91 ± 2.25). Among males, the mean BMI differed considerably between the third molar erupted and non-erupted groups (p = 0.025). Additionally, the non-eruption of third molars was observed to be substantially higher among urban males (p < 0.01) and underweight females (82.6%, n = 38/46). Females had an early TME in both upper jaws, with a mean age of 19.88 (±3.36) years, compared to 20.00 (±2.27) years for males. In contrast to females, who had an average age of 19.24 (±1.90) years, males experienced early tooth loss in both mandibular jaws at an average age of 18.30 (±2.23) years.

Conclusions

Dental age estimated by the TME status is substantially associated with chronological age. Considerable variability exists in the TME status between genders among the inhabitants of this region. Various sociodemographic variables influence an individual’s TME status. Further community-based, elaborated studies are required to generalize these findings.

Figures