Clinical Features and Correlation With Congenital Missing Teeth of Delayed First Permanent Molar

Abstract

Delayed eruption of the first molar, without a generalized or localized cause, is usually associated with delayed development of the affected tooth. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical features of the first permanent molar showing delayed development and eruption, and its association with developmental anomalies of other teeth.

Panoramic radiographs of 40 healthy children showing delayed development and eruption of first permanent molars were analyzed. The clinical features of affected first molars and developmental anomalies of other teeth (except third molars) were evaluated.

Delayed first molars were more frequent in the maxilla. The incidence of bilateral delayed development of first molars was greater than that of unilateral cases in female patients. In contrast, male patients showed unilateral delayed development of the first molar more frequently.

A higher incidence of congenitally missing teeth was observed in patients with delayed first molar.

In each case, delayed development or congenital absence was observed in the second molar adjacent to the delayed first molar.

Overall, delayed first molar seems to be associated with congenital absence of additional teeth. Understanding the developmental mechanisms of this phenomenon requires further studies.