Authors: Hayder Abdalla Hashim, Moshabab AL-Asiry, Najat AL-Sayed, Mohamed Hayder A Hashim, Noof AL-Obaidli.
Background: Serial extraction, a technique introduced by Kjellgren in 1948, emerged during a period of limited availability of orthodontists. It aimed to empower general dentists to manage orthodontic cases effectively, alleviating the strain on orthodontic resources.
Aim: The objective of this article is to demonstrate the efficacy of serial extractions in addressing significant crowding issues in a young patient as well as presenting the past and the most updated recent literature.
Case Summary: Ten-year-old Philipino girl presented with dissatisfaction regarding the appearance of her front teeth. Examination revealed severe crowding in both the upper and lower arches, with minimal overjet and overbite, alongside a Class I molar relationship.
Treatment Outcomes: Treatment comprised serial extractions, resulting in enhanced aesthetics, favorable arch alignment, and occlusion maintenance, all while preserving the Class I molar, canine relationship, overjet, and overbite.
Conclusion: Despite potential criticisms of this interceptive approach, this case underscores the possibility of achieving positive clinical outcomes in carefully chosen cases. This case emphasizes the potential benefits of considering serial extractions in treatment planning for specific clinical cases in young patients.