Management of unerupted anterior teeth: an audit of treatment outcomes

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Anterior teeth are valuable for aesthetics, speech and mastication. Their absence, impaction, and/or delayed eruption reate significant distress often leading to early presentation to the dental office. This study presents an audit of the management of impacted anterior teeth that presented at a tertiary level dental clinic. The periodontal outcomes of the aligned teeth were also reported. Methods: This is an observational study spanning a nine-year period. Demographic data, clinical presentation, as well as post alignment dental and periodontal status of the impacted teeth were assessed. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. Fisher's exact test and paired samples T-test were used for categorical and continuous variables respectively. Significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: Twenty-eight (1.76%) cases presented with failed eruption of 32 anterior teeth were observed during the period under review. Eight patients were treated by extraction, orthodontic treatment, and space closure or prosthetic replacement, with a mean treatment time of 2.83 ± 2.66 years. Thirteen patients completed treatment by orthodontic alignment with mean alignment time of 1.4 ± 1.5 years and treatment time of 3.6 ± 2.5 years. Average loss of root length observed was 1.5mm. There was significant difference in the post-operative root length of aligned teeth compared to their normal antimeres (p < 0.005). Conclusion: Patients with impacted anterior teeth presented later than was beneficial for spontaneous alignment of their teeth. The average 1.5mm loss of root length observed was not detrimental to the anatomical retention or function of the aligned teeth. There is need for more enlightenment with regards to early presentation for dental problems to avoid expensive and time-consuming treatments.