Dental Malocclusion Associated with Premature Loss of Primary Teeth

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between premature loss of primary teeth, molar relation and overjet. METHODS: Dental records (x-rays, cast models and photographs) of 671 pediatric patients were studied. Children were divided in two groups according to the presence of premature loss of primary teeth. Molar relation was registered according to Angle's criteria as Class I, Class II, and Class III. When molar relation could not be determined, it was registered as altered. Overjet was classified in normal, increased and crossbite. Data were analyzed using Pearson's χ² test and odds ratio (p≤0.01 and p≤0.05) RESULTS: Mean age was 8.15 ± 1.66 years old. 26.3% of all patients presented with premature loss of primary molars without significant difference between genders. Difference in prevalence of molar relation was noted between patients with or without premature loss, being 64.15% Class I, 23.63% Class II and 12.22% Class III for the group of patients without premature loss and for the premature loss group 38.64% Class I, 13.64% Class II, 15.91% Class III and 31.82% altered. Overjet also presented differences between groups being 46.77% normal, 31.85% increased and 21.37% inverse for the group without premature loss and for the premature loss group 41.04% normal, 24.86% increased and 34.10% inverse. Positive correlation was found between premature loss of primary teeth altered molar relation and inverse overjet. Odds ratio indicated that the risk for inverse overjet is 1.83 higher for patients with premature loss of primary teeth. CONCLUSIONS: Premature loss of primary teeth presented positive statistically significant correlation with altered molar relation and inverse overjet. Patients with premature loss of primary teeth have higher risk for inverse overjet.