Evaluation of the Effects and Outcomes of Early Extraction of First Permanent Molars: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: To evaluate movements of teeth adjacent to extraction space, spontaneous closure, effects of chronological age and developmental stages of teeth following early extraction of permanent first molars. Methods: Records of 194 patients who applied to a Pediatric Dentistry Clinic of Faculty of Dentistry and had at least one permanent first molar extracted were reviewed. Forty-five patients with regular follow-ups and complete records were included in the study group. Socio-demographic characteristics, extraction reasons, extracted teeth’s number and region of were recorded. Developmental stages of second and third permanent molars by Nolla method, displacement of adjacent teeth and space closure status were determined from radiographs. Data were statistically analyzed. Results: Mean chronological age was 9.63±1.39 years. Majority were from low to middle socioeconomic backgrounds. Early extracted permanent first molars were mostly (62.8%) located in mandible. The entire extraction space of upper right side permanent first molars closed spontaneously. No significant relationship was found between chronological age, dental age, developmental stage of second permanent molar at extraction time and space closure status (p>0.05). As the developmental stage of third permanent molar increased, the likelihood of spontaneous closure increased significantly (p