Physiologic Tooth Migration

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Abstract
The migration of the permanent and deciduous posterior teeth between 5 and 18 yrs. of age was determined. Distances between permanent first molars and canines to a relatively stable reference point on the most clearly defined ruga, as projected on the midsagittal plane, were measured. Migration of first molars occurred invariably in a mesial direction (mean, 3.95 mm; standard deviation, 1.41 mm; and range, 2.0 - 6.5 mm). The canine also drifted in mesial direction (mean, 3.07 mm; standard deviation, 1.21 mm; and range, 1.5 - 6.5 mm). Mesial movement of the first molars and canines were the same in 5 individuals. In 3 others, the movement of the canine was 0.5 - 1.0 mm greater than that of the molar. Molar drift exceeded canine drift (1.0 -2.5 mm) in the remaining 12 individuals. The exact timing of physiologic tooth movement was not determined. The mesial drift of first molars occurred principally during eruption of premolars, and it continued after eruption of second molars (mean 1.37 mm). The greatest movement of canines occurred after eruption of the permanent one and drift continued (1.33 mm) after all permanent teeth were present.

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