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Change over time in intra-arch contact point tightness
Alexander D Vardimon1, Yulia Tryman, Tamar Brosh
1Department of Orthodontics, The Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel. andyva@post.tau.ac.il
American Journal of Dentistry
|December 17, 2003
Summary
Missing first molars reduce contact point tightness in the jaw, especially between adjacent premolars. This reduced tightness persists for years after extraction, creating dental arch asymmetry.
Area of Science:
- Dentistry
- Orthodontics
- Dental Morphology
Background:
- Unilateral first molar (M1) loss can alter mandibular dental arch dynamics.
- Contact point (CP) tightness is crucial for maintaining arch integrity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate contact point (CP) tightness in the mandibular dental arch with a unilateral first molar (M1) missing.
- To determine how time since extraction influences CP tightness.
Main Methods:
- CP tightness measured using a dedicated device in 29 patients with unilateral M1 loss.
- Repeated measures ANOVA compared CP tightness between extraction (E) and non-extraction (NE) sides.
- CPNE served as the internal control.
Main Results:
- The first CP adjacent to the extraction site (CP4-5,E) showed significantly reduced tightness (29%, P < 0.001) compared to the non-extraction side (CP4-5,NE).
- A less significant reduction (20%) was observed at the next anterior CP (CP3-4,E).
- Reduced tightness was confined to the two teeth anterior to the extraction site and persisted for up to 14 years post-extraction.
Conclusions:
- Unilateral first molar extraction leads to reduced contact point tightness in adjacent anterior teeth.
- This asymmetry in CP tightness is established by 3 years post-extraction and remains stable over time.
- The findings highlight the long-term biomechanical consequences of M1 loss on dental arch stability.