• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.170-179
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• 2022

This study aimed to evaluate the masticatory performance of Korean children and adolescents and to investigate related factors. Early loss of primary molars, degree of occlusion of first molars, occlusal relationship of first molars, and presence of anterior crossbite were considered. From March 2020 to July 2021, 56 children and adolescents between the ages of 6 and 12 were included. The mixing ability index (MAI) was calculated to evaluate the masticatory efficiency of children and adolescents. The subjects were classified into three groups according to the number of early lost primary molars; normal dentition, 1 - 2 teeth lost, more than 3 teeth lost. The number of participants are 23, 18, and 15, respectively. There was no difference in the MAI values between the normal dentition group and the group has 1 - 2 teeth lost. However, when 3 or more primary molars were lost, the MAI value decreased and a significant difference was observed. This study is the first study to evaluate the masticatory performance of children and adolescents in Korea, and it will be helpful to pediatric dentists who evaluate the masticatory performance of children and adolescents and strive to improve the masticatory efficiency of children and adolescents in clinical practice.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.382-388
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• 2002

In the present study, crown diameters and their sexual differences in deciduous teeth were investigated in children of Chon-ju city, Korea. Plaster casts of the deciduous dentitions obtained from 50 boys and 50 girls were examined. Mesiodistal and buccolingual crown diameters were measured using a digital caliper(0.01mm) according to the definitions of Seipel and Moorees et al. These measurements were performed three times, and intra-observer measurement errors were calculated by the single determination method. The crown index, module and area were calculated in order to provide a comparison of crown proportions. The results obtained were summarized as follows; 1. The mean values of intra-observer measurement errors were 0.255mm and are unlikely to have influenced the statistical analysis. 2. The mean values of mesiodistal and buccolingual crown diameters examined were larger in boys than girls. 3. The mean coefficient of variation was 5.6 in the deciduous dentition. There were a trend for the primary second molar to be the least variable in size of all teeth both in boys and girls. 4. Fluctuating asymmetry is the difference between left and right antimeres in individuals. Primary second molars were less asymmetrical than primary first molars in both dimensions. 5. In maxillary teeth, Crown index is larger in boys than in girls. In contrast, in mandibular teeth, except primary canine, it is larger in girls than in boys. Crown module is larger in boys than in girls and increased progressively from primary first incisor to primary second molar. Crown area is consistently larger in boys than in girls. The minimum crown area is mandibular primary incisor and maximum crown area is maxillary primary second molar.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.722-727
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• 2006

Most of impacted teeth reported are permanent teeth. Impaction of primary tooth caused by primary failure of eruption is rare and the most of impacted primary tooth are second primary molars. The etiology of a primary molar impaction would appear to be a physical barrier, early ankylosis of the tooth, abnormal development of the primary molar germ or malposition of the successor bud. Transposition has been described as an interchange in the position of two teeth within the same quadrant of the dental arch. It is most commonly seen with canine and lateral incisor teeth, but is rarely associated with the primary dentition. The two cases show the transposition of impacted primary molar and the tooth germ of second premolar in their clinical and radiographic examinations. In case 1, lower second primary molar was deeply impacted inferiorly to the tooth germ suspected to be a second premolar. In case 2, impacted all second primary molars were positioned inferiorly to the tooth germs suspected to be the successors. We extracted all second primary molars under general anesthesia and the extracted tooth germs appeared to be second premolars.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.519-525
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• 2010

Ectopic eruption means the eruption of the tooth in an abnormal position due to multiple factors, which found most frequently in maxillary fist permanent molars, mandibular lateral incisors and maxillary permanent canines. Ectopic eruption of the maxillary first permanent molar occurs when the molar erupts with a more mesial angulation than normal, and locks itself in an atypical resorption on the distobuccal root of the second primary molar. The maxillary first permanent molar plays important roles for mastication and occlusion, so ectopically erupted maxillary first permanent molars should be relocated into proper position. Treatment options are separation by insertion of the brass wire or elastic rings, preparation of distal aspect of the maxillary second primary molar, using fixed or removable appliance with finger spring, and placement of space maintainer or space regainer after extraction of the maxillary second primary molar. We report three cases treated of ectopically erupted maxillary first permanent molar by re-setting of stainless steel crowns, placement of brass wire and using active plate. We could find out distal movement of maxillary first permanent molars into proper position and normal occlusion.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.130-135
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• 2010

Ectopic eruption is caused by an abnormal direction of eruptive path, most common in maxillary first molar, mandibular lateral incisor, and maxillary canine, and sometimes mandibular first molar. Ectopic eruption of first molar leads to abnormal root resorption of second deciduous molar, which, if left untreated, could cause premature loss of second deciduous molar; mesial tilting and rotation of first permanent molar; lack of space for eruption of second premolar; and occlusal problems. Therefore early treatment is advised when diagnosed as ectopic eruption. Treatment of ectopic eruption in the first permanent molar involves providing proper guidance for the direction of eruption using interproximal wedging and distal tipping methods while preserving second deciduous molar. This case report shows satisfactory results of the ectopic eruption of mandibular first molars in young patients who were treated with Humphrey appliance and Halterman appliance.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.438-445
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• 2020

Taurodontism is an anomaly characterized by a long and broad pulpal cavity and consumed apical location of the furcation area. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of taurodontism in deciduous molars based on digital panoramic radiographs of children. The study was performed on a sample of panoramic radiographs taken from 2,473 Korean children who visited the department of pediatric dentistry, Yonsei University Dental Hospital between Nov. 2005 and Mar. 2018. Taurodontism was mainly categorized by Daito's method. Using panoramic radiographs, taurodontism was also categorized into mesotaurodontism, hypotaurodontism, and hypertaurodontism. Mesotaurodontism was the most prevalent type. A total of 2,473 panoramic radiographs were evaluated. The prevalence of taurodontism was 5.7% in general, 51.5% in the left quadrant, 48.5% in the right quadrant, 6.3% in the maxilla, and 93.7% in the mandible. The distribution of taurodontism stratified by gender showed a higher prevalence in males. This is a comprehensive study on the prevalence of taurodontism in children using the largest sample size to date.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.87-92
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• 2020

Adenomatoid odontogenic tumor (AOT) is a rare benign odontogenic jaw lesion. It usually occurs in the anterior maxilla and is mostly related to impacted canines in teenagers. A 3-year-old girl was referred from a local dental clinic due to delayed eruption of the right primary mandibular 2nd molar. There was no history of pain or swelling. Radiography revealed a large radiolucency lesion with radiopacities around the unerupted right primary mandibular 2nd molar. Surgical enucleation with extraction of the right primary mandibular 2nd molar and surgical biopsy were performed. Based on the clinical and radiological findings, this lesion was defined as an ameloblastic fibro-odontoma which often develops in the mandible of adolescents. However, this lesion was diagnosed as AOT from the results of the histological examination. This report aimed to present a rare case of AOT in the posterior mandibular area in a very young patient.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.390-396
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• 2012

Infraocclusion is defined as tooth whose relative occlusal movement was blocked during the period of active eruption due to ankylosis and so on. Then infraoccluded tooth remains under the occlusal plane composed by adjacent structures showing normal eruption patterns. Untreated infraocclusion may cause: prolonged retention of infraoccluded teeth; extrusion of apposed teeth; destruction of periodontal tissues by occlusal force and food packing; increased sensitivity for dental caries; and disturbances on eruption pathway of succedaneous teeth. Therefore, periodic check-ups and proper treatments are required. There are many treatment options on infraoccluded deciduous molars such as periodic observation, conservative method, restoration and space regaining with extraction of the teeth. The choice of treatment may depend on the presence of succedaneous teeth, time of diagnosis and degree of infraocclusion. In this case report, three patients showing displacement of the second premolars due to infraocclusion of upper second primary molars, were treated by means of space regaining with removable orthodontic appliances and extraction of ankylosed primary molars. All malpositioned permanent premolars in the 3 cases showed ordinary eruption pathways after treatment.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.453-460
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• 2010

This study was one of the caries pattern studies. The purpose was to investigate the degree of intraoral symmetry of dental caries in the primary dentition. The dmfs data from children aged 36 to 71 months were analyzed. Pearson correlation coefficients between right teeth and left teeth were from 0.558 (upper canines) to 0.847 (upper central incisors) and 0.905 in total (P<0.01). Differences between right teeth and left teeth were mostly not significant (P>0.05). Pearson correlation coefficients between upper teeth and lower teeth were from 0.150 (right lateral incisors) to 0.506 (right first molars) and 0.680 in total (P<0.01). Differences between upper teeth and lower teeth were mostly significant (P<0.05). Percentages of bilateral caries experience cases per cases having caries experience were from 34.0% (upper canines) to 80.1% (upper central incisors), and from 53.9% (distal) to 84.9% (mesial) in upper central incisors, from 34.1% (mesial) to 45.0% (occlusal) in upper first molars, from 20.7% (distal) to 48.0% (occlusal) in upper second molars, from 34.4% (buccal) to 58.1% (occlusal) in lower first molars, and from 29.7% (distal) to 61.4% (occlusal) in lower second molars, respectively.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.84-88
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• 2009

Tooth impaction refers to situations where a tooth fails to erupt due to mechanical blocking and remains unerupted beyond the normal time of eruption. It is commonly found in permanent dentition, but rarely in deciduous dentition. Tooth impaction is caused by systemic or local factors, and most common etiology is odontoma. Odontoma is also commonly found in permanent dentition, and rarely in deciduous dentition. We are presenting case of 4 year and 4 month year old girl, who had impacted and disto-angulated lower left deciduous second molar due to odontoma. We removed odontoma and performed orthodontic traction of impacted lower left deciduous second molar. Then, the impacted primary molar was erupted and acceptable occlusion was obtained.