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Orthodontic management of agenesis of mandibular second premolars
*Corresponding author: Dr. Krister Bjerklin, Department of Orthodontics, The Institute for Postgraduate Dental Education, Jönköping, Sweden. krister.bjerklin@mau.se
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Received: ,
Accepted: ,
How to cite this article: Bjerklin K. Orthodontic management of agenesis of mandibular second premolars. APOS Trends Orthod 2019;9(4):206-10.
Abstract
Agenesis of mandibular second premolar is reported to be 2.4–4.5%. The diagnosis can be set on at average 9 years of age. Early treatment in the form of extraction of the second primary molar and in some cases also the remaining three second premolars and comprehensive orthodontic treatment are often a good treatment solution. In vertical deep bite cases, cases with spacing in the dental arch, mandibular posterior rotation and for extractions disadvantageous growth pattern, a treatment with retaining of the primary molar must be taken in consideration. When there is no or minor infraocclusion, root resorption less than half of the root length, and no caries or fillings at the age of 12–13 years, there is a good prognosis for longtime survival of the primary molar.
Keywords
Premolar agenesis
Primary molar
Infraocclusion
Root resorption
Orthodontic treatment
INTRODUCTION
Except for the third molars, the mandibular second premolars are the most commonly missing teeth. In many populations, there has been reported a prevalence of 2.4–4.5%.[1-3] In most children, the diagnosis can be made at the age of 9. In few subjects, however, the germ can be seen on a radiograph as late as at the ages of 11–12 years.
General dentists are responsible for detecting such conditions. Early diagnosis is important to plan the treatment and offer the patient the best solution.
In many cases, already at the ages of 10–11, the roots of the second primary molar can have severe root resorption, infraocclusion, or caries lesions and the tooth must be extracted. In some of these cases, the space closes spontaneously, but often a comprehensive orthodontic treatment is necessary later on. Furthermore, when severe crowding and space deficiency in the dental arch are diagnosed early, an extraction therapy can be started already in the mixed dentition. When one has the possibility to postpone decisions for treatment planning, there are a number of variables to take in consideration.
These are for instance: Age of the patient, attitude to orthodontic treatment, from the patient and the parents, growth pattern, type of occlusion; molar relationship and incisor relationship, available space in the dental arch and condition of the primary molar; root resorption, infraocclusion, and caries – fillings.
Extraction of the second primary molar and space closure with a good result can be expected in cases with crowding in the dental arch, normal or minimal overbite, Angle Class I occlusion with a normal growth pattern, and incisal inclination within normal range. In many of these extraction cases, it can be wise to also extract the remaining three second premolars.
Non-extraction, if possible, is preferable in individuals with deep overbite, decreased lower facial height, retroclination of the lower incisors, low angle subjects, and no crowding in the mandible. In these cases, it is difficult to close spaces without adversely affecting the facial profile.
Treatment options
Exltraction of the primary molar and spontaneous space closure, sometimes in combination with the extraction of the second premolar on the same side in the upper jaw
Extraction of the primary molar and comprehensive orthodontic treatment, often in combination with the extraction of the second premolar on the same side in the upper jaw. In cases with risk for midline deviations also the extraction of the two second premolars on the opposite side
Autotransplantation
Implant-supported crown
Fixed prosthetic treatment
Leave the primary molar in situ.
Extraction of the primary molar
Early extraction is often proposed. Joondeph and McNeill recommended early extraction of the primary molar to permit acceptable spontaneous space closure.[4] Lindqvist pointed out the risk for tipping of teeth adjacent to the extraction site when the extraction was performed after completed root development of these teeth.[5] In a study of 11 homogeneous subjects with normal occlusion, there were nine subjects with agenesis of one mandibular second premolar, two subjects with agenesis of both mandibular second premolars, extraction of the second primary molar, and the remaining second premolars were performed at the age of mean 11.8 years. After 4 years, there was a residual extraction space of mean 2 mm in the mandible. Both mesial movement of the first permanent molars and distal movement of the first premolars could be seen.[6] This indicates that some orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances is required.
When it is possible to decide when the extraction is due, the following has to be taken into consideration for a good result:
Soon after the age of 9
The first premolar should have developed at least half of the root length.
Controlled slicing followed by hemi-sectioning of the second primary molar before extraction is recommended to produce a bodily controlled mesial movement of the first permanent molar. To achieve the best result, it is recommended to start early, between the ages of 8 and 9 years when it is possible to stipulate the diagnosis agenesis already at the age of 8.[7]
Moreover, an option in non-crowded cases, as above, extraction space can be closed by mesial movement of the first permanent molar with the aid of temporary anchorage devices (TADs), screw, or plate. In these cases, further extractions are not necessary.
Autotransplantation
The width and the shape of a maxillary third molar fit very well to replace the second primary molar [Figure 1]. The best developmental stage for a tooth to be transplanted is when the root is developed at 50 - 75 %. This is normally between 18 and 20 years of age.[8] This treatment option must be reserved for cases when late extraction of the primary molar is possible and where space closure is, for different reasons, judged difficult to perform and very time consuming.
- Maxillary third molar transplanted to the region of the second premolar.
Implant-supported crown
When the missing premolar is to be replaced with an implant-supported crown, one must know that this will impede the growth of the alveolar process. The implant should not be installed before the age of 20 on average.[9]
Like autotransplantation treatment, the treatment with an implant should be reserved for cases with late extraction of the primary molar, or if the treatment has to start with orthodontic appliances for space gaining.
Fixed prosthesis
Fixed prosthesis consists of either a permanent bridge with grinding of the adjacent teeth or a semi-permanent bridge bonded to one or both neighbor teeth. Both these solutions will, like an implant, impede the growth of the alveolar process.
Leave the primary molar in situ
When extraction of the second primary molar is performed early, before the age of 12–13 years, spontaneous space closure and in some cases a comprehensive orthodontic treatment are expected.
In subjects, when the diagnosis agenesis of mandibular second premolar is established late or when the patient or the parents have refused extraction an option could be to leave the primary molar in situ. The best conditions for this is in non-crowded cases with Angle Class I occlusion, normal overbite and overjet with the primary molar in good condition.
In a study by Rune and Sarnäs, 77 subjects were followed to about 17 years of age. No primary molar was lost due to root resorption and only few were lost due to infraocclusion.[10] At a follow-up about 15 years after normal exfoliation time, no second primary molar was lost due to root resorption, few cases showed increased infraocclusion and in three cases, extraction of primary molars had been performed due to caries.[11] Bjerklin and Bennett (2000) investigated the long- term survival of lower second primary molars in subjects with agenesis of the premolars. The follow-up started at 12– 13 years of age to mean 20 years (SD 3.62). They found, of 59 primary molars in 41 patients, that two primary molars were exfoliated, at age 13 years, 6 months, three were extracted due to progressing root resorption, at age 18 years.[12] Another study had longer follow-up, the last registrations between 18 and 45 years, mean 24 years, 7 months.[13] In this study, 99 primary molars were followed. Eleven of these were lost. Four were lost because the patients had earlier been offered transplantation or implants when they reached the ages of 18 to 20. Of the remaining seven extracted primary molars, one was extracted at the age of 21 due to root resorption and infraocclusion, two at age 22 and 23 due to progressive infraocclusion, one at age 24 due to caries, two at age 33 due to root resorption, and one was extracted at the age of 35 due to caries. Mean values for infraocclusion and space loss were small except for some occasional cases, the seven extracted primary molars mentioned above. In almost 50% of the cases, the resorption level was not changed. On average, more than 90% of the primary molars can be expected a long-term survival.[13] Sletten et al. found 20 individuals with 28 primary molars out of 6000 individuals, mean age 36.1 years (SD 12.9). At a follow-up 12.4 years (SD 7.7) later, four primary molars were lost due to caries or periodontal disease. Root resorption was very small.[14]
DISCUSSION
There are many opinions about the best solution for individuals with agenesis of mandibular second premolars. Early treatment by extractions and later fixed orthodontic appliances often leads to a good result when there is a favorable growth pattern, and patients and parents are motivated.
In crowded cases with mesial tipping of the mandibular first premolars, aligned incisors, and normal sagittal and vertical relations, it is possible to reach a good result with extractions and a limited fixed orthodontic treatment.
In countries or areas with good oral health, many 9–10 years old children have little or no experience of dental treatment. For these individuals, it may be difficult to start their odontology career with the extraction of teeth, especially in cases with no crowding, vertical deep bite, and flat mandibular plane angle. A long, time consuming, treatment with risk for adversely affecting the facial profile can be expected. With the aid of TADs, however, the space closure can be somewhat easier.
If there are primary molars in good condition, no crowding, and no favorable growth pattern for extractions, an option may be to leave the primary molars in situ.
There is, however, a risk for increasing root resorption or infraocclusion.
Lee et al. proposed that the erupting pressure from the permanent tooth induces differentiation of hematopoietic cells into osteoclasts, which cause root resorption of the primary tooth.[15] However, root resorption of the primary tooth could also be seen when the permanent tooth is missing. This may, in some part, be explained by the differences in the periodontal ligaments between the permanent and primary teeth.[16]
The follow-up studies have shown that root resorption of the primary molars increase very slow, but can, in single cases, have very advanced resorption early [Figure 2]. As well, infraocclusion can be very small and suddenly start to increase rapidly [Figure 3].
- A 10-year-old boy with agenesis mandibular left second premolar. Note the severely resorbed primary molars.
- Agenesis of both mandibular second premolars. (a) Age 11.1 years minor infraocclusion, (b) 2 years later with severe infraocclusion, (c and d) 13 years of age.
Hvaring et al. found that infraocclusion was a more critical factor for the prognosis of retained molars than root resorption. In this study, however, infraocclusion was set to 0.2 mm below the occlusion plane, instead of 1 mm which is the most often used level.[17]
Dental agenesis and associations with other dental disturbances such as peg-shaped maxillary lateral incisors, impacted maxillary canines, and infraocclusion of primary molars have been shown.[18-20] A clear reciprocal connection between infraocclusion of primary molars and aplasia of the premolars has been confirmed.[18]
CONCLUSIONS
Early treatment with extraction of the second primary molar and the remaining three second premolars in combination with fixed orthodontic appliances is often the best treatment solution in cases with normal occlusion and a favorable growth pattern.
Good cases for early extractions are as follows:
Class I occlusion
Crowding within the dental arch
Normal overbite and overjet
Normal intermaxillary relations
Normal incisor inclination.
Good cases for the preservation of the primary molars are as follows:
When extractions are not performed at the ages of 12–13 years
Spacing within the dental arch
Vertical deep bite cases
Cases with Class III tendency or with a plane mandibular angle
No or minor infraocclusion
Root resorption less than half of the root
No caries or filling.
If the above-mentioned criteria are fulfilled, there is 90% possibility for longtime survival of the second primary molars.
Declaration of patient consent
The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
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