High frequency of retained teeth in children in Seychelles

The authors examined a series of 400 children from different dental clinics of the island; aged 9 to 14 years; who were referred for malocclusion to the Orthodontic service. They found that a large proportion of children (25 per cent) had to be referred for orthodontic treatment. The most frequently retained teeth were the second superior and inferior premolars. They recommend (1) to increase the necessary conservation of the primary molars in the dental arch; (2) to maintain the space in the case of premature loss due to whatever reason; (3) to re-establish the contact points to prevent loss of the dental arch length; and (4) to promote proper institutional procedures for dental surveillance and prevention in children