he Etiology and Prevalence of Ectopic Eruption of the Maxillary First Permanent Molar

Resident’s Name: Laura Randazzo Sabnani Date:3/27/2009

Article title:The Etiology and Prevalence of Ectopic Eruption of the Maxillary First Permanent Molar

Author(s): Pulver, Franklin

Journal: J. Dent for Children

Volume (number):

Month, Year:  March 1968

Major topic / Main purpose:  To determine the factors that influence ectopic eruption of the maxillary first permanent molar and to study the prevelance of ectopically erupting maxillary permanent first molars.  

Methods and Materials:  Children from the University of Michigan growth study, the department of pedodontics and orthodontics were used in the study.  Size of teeth, length of maxilla, calcification of teeth, eruption angle of the maxillary first permanent molar, time of eruption into occlusion, prevalence of the ectopic eruption, relative distribution of the ectopic eruption according to sex, quadrant, type, extend of resorption of second primary molar, and type of resulting occlusion, and related anomalies were studied.  

Result/Summary:  Out of 831 children 26 of them had 35 ectopic eruptions (3.1%).  There was no specific etiologic factor found to be common among all children.   It was found that there was larger than normal mean sizes of all maxillary primary and permanent teeth, larger affected first permanent molars and second primary molars, smaller maxillae, a more posterior position of the maxillae in relation to the cranial base, an abnormal angulation of eruption of the maxillary permanent first molar and a delayed calcification of some of the affected first permanent molars.  No sex difference or preference of sides was determined.  The severity of the ectopic eruption dictated the resulting occlusion and extend of resorption of the second primary molar.

Assessment of article:  Ok article.  Some interesting points to give to parents if they ask why their child has ectopic eruption.