Tooth anomalies associated with failure of eruption of first and second permanent molars

The occurrence of tooth anomalies in association with failure of the first and second molars to erupt was assessed in a sample of 1520 nonsyndromic subjects with uncrowded dental arches (mean age, 14 years 4 months) and compared with the prevalence rate calculated in a matched control group of 1000 subjects. The tooth anomalies examined included infraocclusion of deciduous molars, palatal displacement of maxillary canines, rotation of maxillary lateral incisors, aplasia of second premolars, and small size of maxillary lateral incisors. Associations among arrested eruption of first and second permanent molars and anomalies in tooth eruption and position (infraoccluded deciduous molars, palatally displaced canines, rotated maxillary lateral incisors) were highly significant (P <. 001). No significant association was found among the occurrence of molar eruption disturbances, aplasia of premolars, and small-sized laterals. These findings point to a common biologic cause for the appearance of failure of eruption of molar teeth and other disturbances in tooth eruption and position, most likely under genetic influence.