[The development of third molars in the children of Croatia].

The objective of this research was to investigate the prevalence of third molars in children in Istria aged 7 to 18. There are 2350 panoramic radiographs of children in Istria that have been analysed and then divided into 7 age groups. In each of these groups there was the same number of boys and girls. It can be expected that over 50% of examinees have third morals at ages between 10-11. The development of third morals starts earlier in the mandible, and it is statistically significant that there are more third morals in the mandible before the age of 12 than in the maxilla (p < 0.01). Furthermore, it is statistically significant that nine year old girls have more third morals than boys, but twelve year old boys more than girls. The differences in the prevalence of third morals between the jaw sides were statistically significant only for mandibles of twelve year old girls. Hypodontia of third morals has been found in 4.5% of boys and 5.8% of girls aged 14 to 18.