Child dental care and serial extraction: a long-term survey

Serial Extraction is a useful means of improving the shape and function of the developing dento-alveolar system in selected cases. However, it requires an ability to recognise departures from normal development and to predict growth changes. This may be beyond the skill of the average practitioner. Much depends upon careful monitoring with the aid of study casts and radiographs. It is often necessary to carry out simple interceptive measures such as grinding of deciduous teeth or simple tooth movements at carefully selected ages. The selection of suitable cases and the procedures for managing them are illustrated by examples of treated cases.