The Hall Technique and exfoliation of primary teeth: a retrospective cohort study

Introduction: There has been speculation about early exfoliation of carious primary molar teeth treated with the Hall Technique (HT).

Aim: To investigate the hypothesis that there is a difference in exfoliation times between teeth treated with the HT and contralateral teeth not treated with the HT. Methods Split-mouth retrospective cohort study of children treated in Dundee Dental Hospital and School (DDH&S). Radiographs and clinical records were assessed to compare children's ages at exfoliation for HT-treated primary molars and their contralateral teeth not treated with the HT. Primary molars' root resorption was also evaluated to assess whether the HT influenced the rate of root resorption.

Results: Using DDH&S's clinical systems, children's records (n = 13,160) were screened for children's ages and sequential radiographs, with 192 children potentially eligible. After assessing radiographs and clinical records, 39 children met the inclusion criteria. Their mean age at time of HT treatment was 7.2 years (range = 4.0 to 11.0; SD = 1.5). There was no evidence of a difference (p = 0.41) between children's ages at exfoliation of HT teeth (10.7; SD = 1.2 years) and contralateral teeth (11.0; SD = 1.4 years).

Conclusion: There is no evidence that use of the Hall Technique is associated with early exfoliation of primary molars.