Peer-reviewed article
Impact of extracted primary teeth on occlusion and its relation to weight status among a group of children.
Meena Abdul Wadood, Aseel Al Haidar, Nada Radhi ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examined how early loss of primary (baby) teeth affects bite alignment in 200 children aged 7-8 years and whether this relates to their nutritional status. Loss of the lower first primary molar was most common and led to changes in how permanent molars aligned. Children with certain bite patterns had significantly lower weight-for-age scores, suggesting that both tooth loss and malnutrition increase the risk of poor bite development. The findings highlight the need to prevent premature tooth loss and address nutrition as part of children's oral health care.
Key points
- The lower first primary molar was the most frequently prematurely lost tooth (38% of cases)
- Premature loss of the second primary molar caused changes in bite classification: Class II in the upper jaw and Class III in the lower jaw
- Children with Class III molar relationship on the extracted side had significantly lower weight-for-age Z-scores (mean difference significant at p<0.01)
- Children with Class II molar relationship on the control side also had significantly lower weight-for-age Z-scores (mean difference significant at p<0.01)
- Undernutrition compounds the risk of malocclusion from premature tooth loss
Limitations
This is a cross-sectional study, so it cannot establish causation or determine the direction of relationships between tooth loss, bite changes, and nutrition. The document does not specify the country or region where the study was conducted, limiting understanding of contextual factors.
Abstract
Introduction: Premature loss of primary molars can disrupt dental arch integrity, alter occlusal relationships, and predispose to malocclusion. Concurrently, undernutrition may influence craniofacial growth, compounding occlusal disturbances. Aims: The study’s objectives were to assess the effects of early primary molar extraction on the formation of occlusal relationships and investigate its relationship to children’s weight-for-age status. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 children between the ages of 7 and 8. Each child was examined to ascertain the presence of any premature loss of primary molars in the upper or lower jaw, evaluated on a unilateral basis. The occlusal relationship of molar permanent teeth was evaluated bilaterally, and the weight-for-age Z-score (WAZ) was assessed. A comprehensive statistical analysis was conducted, encompassing percentage distributions, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and the Pearson chi-square test, with a significance level of 5%. This analysis was undertaken to ascertain the associations between premature tooth loss, occlusion, and malnutrition. Results: The most prevalent tooth that had been prematurely lost was the lower first primary molar (38%). A difference in Angle’s molar relationship between the extracted and the control sides was observed, especially among those with premature loss of the second primary molar. The mean WAZ value was significantly lower among children with Class III Angle’s molar relationship on the extracted side (F=16.158, p<0.01). However, it was significantly lower among children with Class II Angle’s molar relationship on the control side (F=33.665, p<0.01). Conclusions: Premature loss of the primary second molar in the upper arch changed the Angle’s molar classification towards Class II, while in the lower jaw, the Angle’s molar classification changed to Class III. Undernutrition further increases malocclusion risk, emphasizing the need for preventive care and integrated management that addresses both oral and systemic health.
Findings the Hub has extracted
Each claim below is labelled by its type of design and links back to this report.
- Intervention
- Assessment and comparison of occlusal relationships in children with and without premature primary molar extraction, stratified by nutritional status
- Population
- 200 children aged 7-8 years
Key finding
Lower first primary molar was most commonly prematurely lost (38%)