Standards for permanent tooth emergence in Sri Lankan children

Introduction: Determination of population specific standards on the timing and sequence of emergence of the permanent teeth is an essential requirement in pediatric dentistry. Objectives: To establish the pattern and emergence time of permanent teeth in children in Sri Lanka.  Methods: The cross sectional study was conducted with 3321 school children in the country. Children were randomly selected from each school from age 5- 20 years including both genders. Oral cavity was examined using a mouth mirror and probe with natural illumination and erupting stage of each permanent tooth were recorded. All permanent teeth except the third molars were included in the assessment. Results: Females showed earlier eruption of teeth except for central incisors with statistical significance. All the mandibular teeth erupt earlier than their maxillary counterparts except for the premolars. Males showed early emergence of central incisors in left side of the mandible before eruption of first permanent molar. Males showed early eruption of 1st premolar before the eruption of canine in the mandible. The current study identified slightly late eruption of all the permanent teeth than in reported previous study in Sri Lanka. Conclusion: The results of the present study provide reliable references for the emergence of permanent teeth of children in Sri Lanka. Generally median emergence times were delayed compared with the previous study conducted in Sri Lanka.