Spontaneous changes in the mandibular arch following first premolar extractions

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Abstract
Spontaneous changes of tooth position during the 6 months following first premolar extractions were analysed in the lower arch in 21 cases with marked crowding of the lower incisor segment. The arcogramme technique (Herren et al. 1973) was used for the measurements. The extraction sites were reduced by about 50% on average but there was considerable individual variation. About 80% of the space reduction resulted from distal drifting of the canines. Varying degrees of rotation of the canines and second premolars were observed, but this was not related to the positions of the teeth before treatment. An increase of the intercanine distance was observed in the majority of cases. Spontaneous changes following first premolar extractions in the lower arch may be utilized for therapeutic purposes but because of the individual variability careful supervision of the post-extraction development is essential.

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