This study assessed the association between ectopic eruption of the maxillary first permanent molar and skeletal malocclusion in 5-to 10-year-old children. As subjects, 786 children who attended the Wonkwang University Dental Hospital for orthodontic diagnosis were included. Children with unerupted first permanent molars or fully erupted second permanent molars were excluded. The study group demonstrated ectopic eruption of the maxillary first permanent molar, while the control group did not. Cephalometric radiographs taken between January 2003 and August 2015 were analyzed. Skeletal class III malocclusion was detected in 57.0% of the study group, which differed significantly from that in the control group (p<0.05). The SNA, ANB angles, and A to N-perpendicular distance were significantly smaller, whereas the A-B plane angle and APDI were significantly greater in the study group than in the control group (p<0.05). The SNB and mandibular plane angles were not significantly different between the groups. Thus, maxillary undergrowth is a risk factor for ectopic eruption of the maxillary first permanent molar.