The extraction of which teeth is most likely to affect the growth of alveolar bone?

The extraction of deciduous molars is most likely to affect the growth of alveolar bone because these teeth play a critical role in the development and eruption of permanent teeth. Deciduous molars help maintain the arch space necessary for the proper alignment of their successor permanent teeth. When these primary teeth are lost prematurely, it can result in a shift or drifting of adjacent teeth, which may lead to problems such as crowding, misalignment, or spacing issues when the permanent teeth do come in.

Moreover, the roots of deciduous molars contribute to the normal development of the surrounding alveolar bone. The presence of these teeth encourages proper bone modeling and growth as the dental and skeletal structures develop. Removal of these teeth can disrupt this process, potentially leading to a less favorable bone contour and alveolar bone resorption, which further affects the overall dental arch development.

In contrast, while permanent molars, incisors, and canines also contribute to overall dental arch stability and occlusion, the direct impact on alveolar bone growth is more pronounced with the extraction of deciduous molars due to their role in guiding the eruption of permanent teeth.