MANAGEMENT OF CROWDED DENTITIONS IN YOUNG CHILDREN

Dental crowding is one of the most common type of malocclusions in the mixed dentition. During the period of transition from the primary to the permanent dentition, minor incisor crowding is often present in the normally developing dentitions, but severe crowding can be caused by arch length/tooth size discrepancy. To determine the need for and appropriate timing of treatment for arch-length discrepancies, clinicians must be knowledgeable about normal development. This paper reviewed the literature on normal dental arch development and proper management of dental crowding according to its severity. Due to variations in the timing and the sequence of permanent tooth eruption, management of dental crowding should be specific to the individual patient.