Abstract:
A significant increase in the ermolar cusp heights at 9, 10 and 11 years and a significant
increase in the malocclusion scores at 9, 10,11 and 12 years in both sexes in the study group
were also observed.This study establishes that children who lose their deciduous teeth
prematurely are more likely to have their permanent teeth early and also a higher precentage
of malpositioning and rotation of teeth. A higher precentage of malocclusion will entail
higher costs in the maintenance and care of the permanent dentition. Therefore, preservation
of the deciduous dentition needs emphasis in Sri Lanka.
