A Cross-Sectional Study Looked into the Incidence of Early Missing Primary Teeth in Children Aged 6 to 12 in the Southern Iraqi City of Nasiriya

Abstract

Objectives: One of the potential risk factors for poor dental arch length growth, which in turn affects the formation of permanent teeth, is the early loss of primary teeth, which is common in childhood dental disease. For the formation of permanent teeth, the dental arch must be the proper length. The length of the weak arc may cause crowding, preterm birth, or impaction of these teeth, which could harm the student's health and development throughout the course of their life. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of early primary tooth loss in students aged 6 to 12 years old. Materials and Methods: 259 students made up the study group, 135 boys and 124 girls. An expert examiner performed the dental examination in an environment with enough artificial light. The age of the patient and the number of lost teeth were recorded. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, and based on the findings, Chi-square tests were conducted at a level of significance of 5% (P 0.05). Results: Boys lost their primary teeth at a rate of 49%, while girls of the same age lost their teeth at a slightly higher rate of 51%. The study also revealed that first molars (42.6%) are the dental arch's most often missing teeth. Conclusion: In the study group, there was a high prevalence of early loss of primary teeth, students could retain a healthy primary dentition and eventually avoid disruptions in the development of appropriate occlusion with the support of effective educational and preventive programs for oral health. Reducing malocclusion issues would be made possible with the early detection and treatment of the space issues brought on by the early loss of primary teeth.