Sex differences in dental development in children with precocious puberty related to central nervous system lesions

Forty-three children with precocious puberty related to central nervous system (CNS) lesions were examined. Plasma concentrations of estradiol in the females and testosterone in the males were obtained. Panoramic radiographs were used to assess dental root and crown development. All mandibular canines, premolars, and molars were included which could be visualized without apparent distortion. Dental development was retarded significantly relative to chronological age in female patients with CNS lesion-related precocious puberty. However, no significant abnormal dental development was detected in the males of the same group. The data suggest that elevated levels of estrogen associated with precocious puberty may retard odonto~enesis.