The effect of pulp inflammation and premature extraction of primary molars on the successor permanent teeth. A retrospective study

BACKGROUND: Untreated caries on primary molars often leads to pulp inflammation and extraction. AIM: To retrospectively investigate the effect of pulp inflammation and extraction of primary molars on their successors regarding alignment in the dental arch and developmental enamel defects (DED). DESIGN: The participants in this study were children at public schools in Petropolis (Brazil), who participated in a 3-year longitudinal clinical trial. Children (N = 44) were selected for the present study if they had at least one erupted premolar of which the predecessor primary molar presented pulp inflammation at baseline or during any of the 6-month follow-up assessments. All premolars were examined for DED and misalignment. Distinction was made between extraction performed before (E /=8). Distinction was also made between pulp inflammation occurred before (P /= 7). A logistic regression analysis was performed, and the odds ratio was calculated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Misalignment occurred more frequently in E /=8 (OR = 2.85; P = .03). There was no significant difference in DED between P /= 7. CONCLUSION: Misalignment of premolars occurs more frequently when the predecessor primary molars are extracted before the age of 8 years.