Dental Management of First Permanent Molars in Molar-incisor Malformation Patients:A Case Report

ABSTRACT

Molar incisor malformation (MIM) has been introduced as a new type of dental anomaly. Currently, the morphological and histological characteristics of MIM are known; however, its etiology has not been clearly identified. To date, the long-term prognosis of first permanent molars (FPM) affected by MIM has rarely been reported, and few treatment guidelines have been established. The purpose of this case report was to present guidelines for the extraction of FPM affected by MIM, depending on the presence of the third molar. In patients with a third molar, spontaneous mesial shift of the posterior molars might be induced by extracting the FPM at an appropriate time, that is, when the second permanent molar is at an early furcation stage of the tooth. However, it is recommended that FPM be preserved for as long as possible if a third molar does not exist. When an FPM needs to be extracted, it is suggested to consider space maintenance.