The influence of extractions caries cause on the development of malocclusion and need for orthodontic treatment

The influence of premature extraction of deciduous teeth, and extraction of permanent teeth due to caries on the frequency of malocclusions was analysed. The patient group comprised 915 children aged 8-16 from a province of Northern Italy. 204 children had experienced premature loss of deciduous teeth and 442 had had permanent teeth extracted, due to caries. The permanent teeth most frequently extracted were the first molars. It was obvious that extraction caries cause had detrimental effect on the development of occlusion resulting in an increased frequency of malocclusions. The frequency of single malocclusion traits was compared between the groups of children with and without loss of teeth. The malocclusion traits most frequently observed in children who had experienced extraction, were dentitional anomalies due to malaligned teeth. Only minor changes in the occlusal anomalies could be observed. There was, however, a pronounced increase in the need for minor as well as major orthodontic treatment. On the basis of these findings it could be concluded that extraction of teeth due to caries should be avoided if the aim of dental service on a population basis is to ensure a well functioning dentition for the maximum number of people.