No abstract

Cross-sectional data on permanent tooth eruption were collected by examining the children and adolescents 5-15 years old in a northeastern municipality of Finland. There were 1008 subjects in the whole sample, 483 girls and 525 boys. The results showed statistically significant differences between the girls and boys in timing of eruption of some permanent teeth, indicating earlier eruption in girls than in boys. This difference was most clearly seen in the second phase of the mixed dentition. Interindividual variation in the emergence age was also wider in the second phase of the mixed dentition. The present results seem to indicate earlier eruption of the permanent teeth in rural children in northeastern Finland than in other parts of the country.

Abnormal craniofacial morphology, but not excess body fat, is associated with an increased risk of having SDB in 6-8-year-old children. A simple model of necessary clinical examinations (i.e. facial profile, dental occlusion and tonsils) is recommended to recognize children with an increased risk of SDB.

In the early stages of OSA, the pharyngeal fat pad seems to play an important role in the development of disease in overweight patients. Furthermore, weight reduction by lifestyle intervention-based programme reduces both central obesity and pharyngeal fat pads, resulting in an improvement of OSA.