Aim: to assess the changes taking place in D E space caused by untreated interproximal caries of primary molars during the mixed dentition.
Subjects and methods: This study was a cross-sectional one. A sample of 52 children between 7 to 9 years of age with unilateral interproximal caries of first and/or second primary mandibular molars was assessed to detect the change in D E space caused by loss of contacts due to interproximal caries. D E space change was defined as the change in the distance between the midpoint on the mesial surface of the mandibular permanent first molar and the midpoint on the distal surface of the mandibular primary canine (DE Space). The space change between damaged sides and the intact control sides was measured by cast analysis using digital caliper. Interexaminer reliability was high (0.970).
Results: The results showed the measured change of D E space on the damaged sides was significantly reduced when compared to the control sides (P< 0.001).
Conclusion: The study concluded that the space needed for eruption of permanent teeth decrease significantly after loss of proximal contacts of primary molars due to interproximal caries in mixed dentition stage.