Table 3.

Category of evidence and strength of recommendation

Topic	Recommendation	Category of evidence	Strength of recommendation
Effects on post extraction space	Early extraction of compromised FPM leads to decrease in post extraction space	III***	C^
Effect on development and eruption of SPM	Early extraction of compromised FPM results in accelerated development and eruption of SPM	III***	C^
Effect on development and eruption of third molar	Early extraction of compromised FPM results in accelerated development and eruption of third molar	III***	C^
Caries and/or filling of adjacent teeth	Early extraction of compromised FPM causes a decrease in caries and/or fillings of proximal surfaces on adjacent teeth	III***	C^
Effects on incisors	Early extraction of compromised FPM results in lingual tipping and retrusion of lower incisors	III***	C^
Effects on skeletal development	Early extraction of compromised FPM results in counterclockwise rotation of the occlusal plane	III***	C^

Notes: ***According to the system devised by Shekelle et al. [13] to grade evidence, Category III is evidence from nonexperimental descriptive studies, such as comparative studies, correlation studies, cohort studies, and case-control studies. ^According to the system used for classifying the strength of the recommendations devised by Shekelle et al. [13], Class C is directly based on category III evidence or a recommendation extrapolated from category I or II evidence

Abbreviations: FPM first permanent molar, SPM second permanent molar