ABSTRACT
Primary failure of eruption is a condition where there is eruption failure in the permanent dentition with no obvious mechanical cause. It has previously been reported in the literature as a cause of posterior openbite, with a varying degree of familial inheritance. This case report describes two sisters that experienced eruption failure in the permanent dentition, most notably of the first and second molars, with greater severity in the younger sister. Teeth were exposed in both patients and orthodontic traction was applied with little or no success. The report provides further evidence of the genetic contribution to the aetiology of this condition and also highlights the problems in attempting treatment, including exposing to the oral environment teeth that are infra-occluded and difficult to clean effectively.
Subject(s)
Molar , Tooth, Unerupted/genetics , Activator Appliances , Adolescent , Child , Female , Humans , Malocclusion, Angle Class II/etiology , Malocclusion, Angle Class II/genetics , Malocclusion, Angle Class II/therapy , Orthodontic Appliances , Patient Compliance , Tooth Movement Techniques/instrumentation , Tooth Movement Techniques/methods , Tooth, Unerupted/therapy , Treatment FailureABSTRACT
The records of 96 consecutively treated patients, with a total of 110 exposed maxillary canines, were reviewed after orthodontic alignment of the exposed teeth. In view of the high degree of clinical and patient satisfaction with the results, a random sample of 25 patients, with a total of 30 exposed canines, were critically assessed. The assessment involved scoring for clinical impression, mobility, gingival condition and pocketing, oral hygiene, vitality, and radiographic appearances. The results indicate that the technique of surgical exposure and orthodontic alignment of ectopic maxillary canines provides a satisfactory method of treatment.