Description
Early loss of deciduous teeth
Early loss of deciduous teeth commonly occurs due to extractions or trauma. However it may also occur spontaneously in severely crowded cases due to resorption by adjacent erupting teeth (i.e. loss of Cs by the erupting lateral incisors) (Proffit et al. 2013). It is important for dentists to diagnose early loss of deciduous teeth so orthodontic assessment and a management plan for space requirements can occur.
The early loss of deciduous teeth can affect the permanent dentition by a loss of arch space (increased crowding due to loss of leeway space and primate space), arch asymmetries (midline deviation and subdivision malocclusions) and ectopic or impacted teeth (Proffit et al. 2013).
The earlier the loss of a deciduous tooth the more the potential of crowding will exist and the higher the chance of delayed permanent tooth eruption will occur too. The risk of space loss is increased if there is existing crowding already.
Early deciduous incisor loss rarely affects spacing in the permanent dentition, unless they are lost very early on. The early loss of deciduous canines, first molars and second molars have significant permanent dentition effects and are discussed under treatment indications.
