Management of the Developing Dentition and Occlusion in Pediatric Dentistry

Abstract

This best practice asserts that the management of developing dentition and occlusion is an essential part of comprehensive oral health care and that early diagnosis and treatment of abnormalities can aid patients in achieving the goal of a stable, functional, and esthetic occlusion. The document outlines the components of the clinical examination and necessary diagnostic records and emphasizes the importance of the diagnostic summary for determining treatment priorities and timing. Considerations for management according to each stage of dentition (primary, mixed, adolescent, adult) are presented along with treatment objectives and recommendations for relevant dental concerns, including oral habits, congenitally-missing or supernumerary teeth, ectopic eruption, and ankylosis or primary failure of eruption. Lastly, the document provides discussion of arch length discrepancy, space maintenance, space regaining, crossbites, and Class II and Class III malocclusions. Providers may use this document as a resource for gathering crucial diagnostic information and making informed decisions regarding the timing, sequence, and appropriateness of interventions.

This document was developed through a collaborative effort of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Councils on Clinical Affairs and Scientific Affairs to offer updated information and recommendations regarding management of developing dentition and occlusion.

^{KEYWORDS: MALOCCLUSION, SPACE MAINTENANCE, CROSSBITE, ANKYLOSIS, TOOTH ERUPTION, ORAL HABITS, SUPERNUMERARY TEETH}