[The characteristics of third-molar development in children from 2 geographic areas of Croatia].

Background: The development differences of wisdom teeth in children in two geographical regions of Croatia (Istria and Slavonia) have been studied.

Methods: One thousand orthopantomograms have been analyzed (Istria: 574-280 boys and 294 girls; Slavonia: 426-210 boys and 216 girls); they were carried out in children aged from 6 years and 6 months to 12 years and 6 months, divided into six groups. All of them presented the following criteria: absence of numerical anomalies of permanent teeth (wisdom teeth not included), absence of extraction of permanent teeth and of different syndromes. The development of wisdom teeth was assessed by Gat's method.

Results: The development of wisdom teeth begins earlier in Istrian subjects, but in both groups the wisdom tooth crypt appeared also after the 12 years and 6 months. The greatest increase is frequency of wisdom teeth germ in both groups was observed in children aged between 9 or 10 years. Most of Istrian children, compared with those in Slavonia, had wisdom teeth germs. As to jaw differences, it was observed that children in Istria (except the group of those 11 years old) have significantly more wisdom teeth germs in the mandible (p < 0.01). Significant jaw differences were found only in the group of 8-years-old Slavonian children. The differences in presence of wisdom teeth between males and females and sites of each jaw were not found to be significant.