Effects of premature loss of deciduous teeth on the morphology and functions of the masticatory organ. Literature review

Abstract

Premature loss of a deciduous tooth is its loss 3 to 4 years before its physiological replacement, in other words – one year before the date of physiological resorption of its roots. The most common reasons for premature loss of deciduous teeth include complications of caries such as: pulp gangrene, periodontitis, inflammation of the periapical area, periapical lesions, abscesses, and osteitis. Mechanical traumas and cysts belong to other reasons. Direct consequences of premature loss of a deciduous tooth include inhibition of growth of the alveolar process bone of the maxilla or alveolar part of the mandible in the area where a tooth is missing. Presence of space in the dental arch leads to various dental displacements such as tooth displacement along the arch, rotations, inclinations. It leads to dental abnormalities, including secondary crowding, dental abnormalities associated with time and place of eruption of permanent teeth, arch midline shift, and Godon’s effect. Consequences of premature loss of deciduous teeth also include worsening of pre-existing malocclusions and dysfunctions of the masticatory organ associated with chewing, speech and swallowing. Aim. The paper aimed to present consequences of premature loss of deciduous teeth and to determine indications for prophylactic treatment. Material and methods. A review of literature in Polish and English from the period 2006–2017 was performed using PubMed, PBL, Embase, Scopus databases. “Premature loss of deciduous teeth” was a key word. Results. Consequences of premature loss of various groups of deciduous teeth were presented and indications for prophylactic treatment were discussed based on literature collected. Conclusions. The analysis performed concluded that due to various consequences of premature loss of deciduous teeth orthodontic management is recommended in many cases in order to minimise consequences of premature loss of deciduous teeth. (Wojtaszek-Lis J, Regulski P, Laskowska M, Zadurska M. Effects of premature loss of deciduous teeth on the morphology and functions of the masticatory organ. Literature review. Orthod Forum 2018; 14: 29-47)