[The relevance of the loss of first permanent molar for the periodontium of neighbouring teeth].

There is a controversial discussion according to treatment of the early loss of first permanent molar. The aim of this investigation was to study the change of periodontal conditions of the teeth neighbouring the gap. We investigated 33 patients with 55 gaps. The average time of first molar loss was 10.5 years. The position of neighbouring teeth was influenced by the early loss of the first molar. Oral hygiene and self cleaning of the periodontal tissues was of good quality in this region. The bleeding on probing was smaller in this region compared with control teeth. The pocket depth of the second molar was higher than that of the second premolar. The loss of alveolar bone detected by radiography was greater in the second molar compared with the second premolar and also in the distal periodontal site of the second molar and the mesial site of the second premolar controlled with sites neighbouring the gap.