American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) Practice Exam 2025 - Free Orthodontics Practice Questions and Study Guide

The option of allowing space to close and then reopening for ridge improvement is appropriate in cases with missing mandibular first molars in non-mature patients for several reasons.

In younger patients, the growth and development of the jaw are ongoing. If a space is allowed to close naturally, this can sometimes lead to improved periodontal health and ridge morphology in preparation for a future implant placement. Postponing immediate intervention respects the natural growth patterns and can help in re-evaluating the anatomical and periodontal conditions when the patient matures.

Ridge improvement becomes a crucial need, especially if the goal is to place an implant later on. The natural closure of the space can sometimes create a more ideal anatomy for future restoration, enabling better implant placement with a favorable ridge contour.

The other options, such as extraction and space maintenance, do not align as well with the long-term growth considerations in younger patients. While the use of implants can be a viable option, immediate loading would not be applicable for non-mature patients, given the risk of failure from ongoing bone development and density issues. Therefore, the strategy of allowing space closure before future interventions aligns effectively with the growth considerations of younger patients.