Orthodontic treatment of partially edentulous patients is difficult, especially if a significant number of teeth are missing. With loss of teeth, adjacent or opposing teeth usually tip, drift or over-erupt leaving spaces that are not optimal for replacement of missing teeth. Orthodontic correction of these spatial relationships will aid prosthetic replacement of the missing teeth, function, hygiene and aesthetics.
The first permanent molar (FPM) is commonly subject to significant compromise which may arise due to caries or endodontic complication, or from developmental anomalies such as hypoplasia. Compromised teeth with questionable prognosis may result in short and long-term clinical dilemmas. This review article highlights the factors that require careful consideration when a compromised FPM is detected and the importance of timely FPM extraction. Several clinical cases are described in detail to discuss possible treatment options from the orthodontic perspective.
British Society of Prosthodontics-Kulzer Undergraduate Award British Endodontic Society Student Essay Prize-The Harty Prize British Endodontic Society Elective Period Prize British Endodontic Society Foundation Dentist Prize British Society for Periodontology-Frank Ashley Undergraduate Prize British Society of Paediatric Dentistry The National... Continue Reading →