Early extraction of the first permanent molars: a five-year follow-up study

Early extraction of first permanent molars (FPMs) is generally considered successful when the second permanent molar and premolar come into contact, regardless of whether the patient has a healthy occlusion. In this study, we aimed to investigate cases in which early extraction had a successful prognosis.

Study design: Pre-extraction orthopantomograms of children whose one or more FPMs were extracted were examined retrospectively. Post-extraction parameters such as status of the extraction gap, any other diastema formation, and midline shift were evaluated clinically and radiographically. For the dental age estimations, development levels of the teeth were scored using the Demirjian method and the developmental status of a particular tooth was calculated in years based on tables given by Willems et al. [2001]. The ICON index was used to determine the orthodontic treatment needs of patients.

Descriptive analyses and the Kruskal-Wallis test were used for the statistical analysis of the data.

Early extraction of FPM should be considered successful when there is no formation of any other diastema in the relevant quadrant, midline shift, or orthodontic treatment needs due to extraction.