Eruption sequence of first permanent teeth in some Nigerian children

The aim of the study was to determine eruption sequence between lower first molars and lower central incisors in some Nigerian children. The study population consisted of healthy Nigerian nursery school children in Ibadan, Nigeria. Intra-oral examinations were done out door under natural lightening conditions and only children who had either the lower permanent central incisor(s) or lower first molar(s) were included in the study. Ninety-four children met the inclusion criteria with their mean age at 5.77 ± 0.61 years. Sixty-seven percent of the children were 6 years old, while 23.4% were 5 years old. Only 3.2% were 4 years old. One hundred and seventy six teeth were erupted as at the time of the study. Fifty-seven point ninety-five percent of the erupted teeth were central incisors while 42.05% were lower first molars. It is hoped that the observed reversal in the trend of eruption of the first permanent teeth will afford an opportunity of establishing the trend of dental development in Nigerian children.