Late third molar genesis: its significance in orthodontic treatment.

(1) Third molar genesis may occur up to the age of sixteen years, although the possibility of their appearance after the age of twelve years is reduced. (2) When third molar genesis is delayed beyond the age of ten years, the possibility of all four third molars developing is reduced by about fifty percent. (3) The intraindividual variability in stage of development of third molars increase when genesis is delayed beyond ten years of age. (4) There is no significant difference in size of early and late developing third molars.