[The effects of premature deciduous molar loss on the succeeding premolars]

By means of panoramic radiographs of 76 patients we investigated the development and eruption of lower premolars following premature loss of their deciduous predecessor. Following extraction of deciduous molars the mineralization of the bicuspids was accelerated. The eruption of the respective bicuspids took place earlier than expected. During eruption root length was shorter than usual for that stage of development. Although the bicuspids reached occlusion earlier than normal, root mineralization continued to normal length.