The influence of bilateral lower first permanent molar loss on dentofacial morfology – a cephalometric study

David NORMANDO, Cristina CAVACAMI

Objective: To evaluate cephalometric changes in patients with bilateral loss of lower first permanent molar teeth. Methods: Sixty-eight lateral radiographs of patients from private practices were analyzed. The sample was divided into two groups matched for age and gender: 34 individuals without loss (control group) and 34 presenting with bilateral loss of lower first permanent molar teeth (loss group). Patients who had lost teeth other than lower first molars, cases of agenesis and patients under 16 years of age were excluded from the sample. Only individuals who reported losing teeth at least 5 years earlier were evaluated. Results: It was found that bilateral loss of lower first permanent molars leads to smooth closure of GnSN angle (P = 0.05), counterclockwise rotation of the occlusal plane (P = 0.0001), mild decrease in lower anterior face height (P = 0.05), pronounced lingual tipping (P = 0.04) and retrusion of mandibular incisors (P = 0.03). Moreover, bilateral loss of lower first permanent molars did not affect the maxillomandibular relationship in the anteroposterior direction (P = 0.21), amount of chin (P = 0.45), inclination of upper incisors (P = 0.12) and anteroposterior position of maxillary incisors (P = 0.46). Conclusion: Bilateral loss of lower first molars can produce marked changes in lower incisor positioning and in the occlusal plane as well as a mild vertical reduction of the face.

Keywords: First permanent molar. Cephalometry.

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