Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the distribution and condition of persistent primary teeth (PTT) among a group of patients and to suggest clinical guidance for treatment planning. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Total 116 panoramic radiographs present in the archive of the Radiology and Orthodontic departments that belonged to 72 females and 44 males aged between 14-47 years and included PPT were evaluated. The age, gender, total number and location of the PPT, presence of the permanent successor, fillings, carious lesions, root canal treatment, periapical lesion, root resorption and any infraocclusion of the PPT in each patient were recorded. Also, clinical recording forms of patients from the orthodontic archive were examined. The condition of PPT retained in the dental arch as part of an orthodontic treatment plan was evaluated separately at the beginning and at the end of treatment. Results: In total, the most frequent PPT was found to be the maxillary canine (39.6%). No difference was present between females and males regarding tooth type. Only, 44.9% of the PPT had a permanent successor. An increase in resorption rate was seen with an increase in patient age (p=0,000). Sixty-nine percent of the teeth were found to be intact, 12.8% had carious lesions, 16.6% had restorations, 1.6% had root canal treatment and 9.1% had periapical lesions and 20.9% were at infraocclusion. Tipping was present in 17.6% of the teeth neighboring PPT. The most common PPT were maxillary canines followed by mandibular second molars. PPT may be considered to be retained intact in the dental arch as this research shows that most of the PPT are at occlusion, function well and have acceptable prognosis in the long term.

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