A RADIOGRAPHIC STUDY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE HUMAN MANDIBULAR DENTITION

This paper presents new data on the absolute timing of the growth of t he mandibular permanent teeth, with an emphasis on the timing of the c ompletion of the enamel crown. Two collections of cranio-dental radiog raphs were analyzed: (1) 267 juveniles from a contemporary pediatric d ental clinic (Case Western Reserve University School of Dentistry, Cle veland, Ohio), and (2) 36 individuals sampled longitudinally from the Bolton-Brush Growth Study Center. The ages of the individuals span fro m three months to 18 years of age and the study includes both cross-se ctional and longitudinal data. Comparisons of the ages of attainment o f the Cleveland samples with other schedules of dental development are made. The relative contribution of the multiple underlying sources of Variation producing the differences between the radiographically base d developmental schedules remain elusive. (C) 1998 Academic Press.