Managing impacted upper anterior teeth by orthodontic traction- Minimally invasive approach

Introduction

A tooth that does not erupt completely in oral cavity is impacted teeth. This can be assessed through clinical and radiological findings. Abnormal eruption within dento-alveolar process may result into serious clinical manifestation and impactions.^[1], ^[2], ^[3] Orthodontic intervention to bring back the impacted teeth into normal occlusion is important for long term function and stability.

The frequency of impaction of permanent teeth is as follows: lower 3^rd molars, upper 3^rd molars, upper canine, upper and lower 1^st molar, upper and lower 2^nd molar.^[2], ^[3] The prevalence of impaction of permanent maxillary canine is 1-2% in the general population.^[4], ^[5] Primary cause for impacted teeth are genetics,^[6] endocrinal deficiency, palatal clefts, irradiation, developmental abnormalities, dento-maxillary disharmony, transverse growth deficiency of maxilla. ^[7]

One of the author showed that in forced eruption, the teeth could be erupted for the purpose of levelling the osseous defects, altering gingival margins and lengthening the clinical crown. ^[8] This concept and its association with bone migration has been taken to treat the patient with multiple impacted teeth. ^[9], ^[10]

The purpose of this case report is to describe the successful management of multiple impacted teeth with combined surgical and orthodontic treatment, guiding the eruption of impacted teeth.

Case Report

A 15-year-old female patient reported to the clinic with chief complaint of missing teeth in upper front tooth region and wanted its correction. Her general physical status was found to be normal with advance facial height and competent lips. Patient did not have any relatable past history or trauma. On intraoral examination she had clinically missing 13,21,22 and 23 with retained 53,63. Lower anterior crowding was also found. ([Figure 1])

OPG revealed impacted 13,21,22 and 23 instead of missing teeth. The impacted lateral incisor was placed horizontally below impacted central incisor and canine away from path of eruption. ([Figure 2])

The following treatment options were there : removal of impacted teeth then giving removable partial denture later retaining with implant or bridge other option was extraction of few teeth followed with retraction of few and bringing them to occlusion. But we opted for sequential retraction and one time surgery.

Treatment objective included extraction of retained deciduous canines 53 and 63 then surgical exposure of impacted teeth followed by light orthodontic traction of left maxillary permanent central incisor then canine in place of lateral incisor and lateral incisor in place of canine as there was transposition then carrying enameloplasty to get them in level maintaining occlusion to obtain a pleasant smile.

Patient and her parents were explained about the treatment. Firstly, extraction of retained primary 53 and 63 was done and upper arch was bonded with stainless steel wire. ([Figure 3])

On 2^nd and 3^rd visit healing at extraction site was checked with achievement of space for exposure of impacted teeth after 4 weeks.

On 4^th visit surgical exposure of impacted teeth was done, tooth 21, 22 and 23 were exposed. During surgical exposure inadequate access for bonding on crown and also field was found to be contaminated with blood and saliva.

Consequently, a hole was drilled on 21,22 and 23 tooth’s incisal edge away from dentin. Orthodontic stainless steel wires were inserted into the holes to increase reliability of traction procedure. Ligature wires were tied on attachments bonded on labial aspect of exposed teeth and flap was sutured back for application of traction forces. ([Figure 4]a,b)

After 21 and 22 appeared in oral cavity restoration was placed to fill the holes. It was observed that 22 was not at favourable eruption path and obstructed eruption of 23. ([Figure 5])

Patient was called at periodic visits of 4-5 weeks to check for eruption of 13 and 23. It was found 13 erupted before 23, as there was still not proper space for eruption of 23. First retraction was done of left maxillary central incisor then canine in place of permanent lateral incisor and lateral incisor in place of canine due to transposition. ([Figure 6]a,b)

Later both maxillary permanent canine erupted into the oral cavity and alignment of teeth was done. ([Figure 7])

Orthodontic attachments were removed after obtaining correct alignment of upper and lower arches providing with short period of retention in order to prevent relapse. ([Figure 8]a,b)

The gingival margin, attached gingiva were healthy and in occlusion. No pathological signs were found. After almost 2 years a pleasant smile was achieved.

Discussion

Dentists are frequently faced with anomalies of tooth during the gradual emergence of adult dentition. The impaction of maxillary incisor is mostly diagnosed clinically and radiographically at the early age, due to lack of eruption of anterior teeth cause parental concern during the early mixed dentition phase.^[11] Studies have shown predilection of impaction in females as compared to males. ^[12], ^[13], ^[14] In our case female patient has chief complaint of missing teeth and impaction was confirmed in clinical and radiological findings.

Surgical exposure and bringing the impacted tooth to its line of occlusion with the help of light orthodontic traction is the desirable approach. ^[11], ^[15], ^[16] and was the option in our case too. The peculiarity in our case was the method of traction, drilling a hole in crown of impacted teeth rather than bonding attachment. This method was chosen after surgical exposure of impacted teeth due to inadequate access for bonding procedure. The only disadvantage of this procedure was the need for restoration of hole after achieving the desired traction.

After extraction of maxillary incisor, tooth placement with prosthetic, implant or auto transplantation of pre molar to maxillary incisor region may be one of the treatment. ^[17] We opted for traction in our case, the periodontal ligament status of exposed central incisor, lateral incisor and canine after orthodontic treatment revealed the acceptable gingival margin eliminated the need for gingival re-contour surgery or other treatment option.

We should first determine if the impacted teeth could be successfully aligned in its proper position. It is important to plan when and how the impacted teeth should be moved to its final position maintaining occlusion. Designing and applying an ideal force relative to the centre of resistance of the tooth can be challenging task in impacted tooth that too multiple. ^[1], ^[18]

In this case we used ligature ties to apply light eruptive forces in order to avoid excessive amount of forces which can lead to root resorption. After sufficient eruption of impacted teeth in the mouth, these teeth were included in aligning arches. Accurate and early diagnosis along with multidisciplinary approach permitted for the orthodontic traction of impacted teeth into normal alignment.

Conclusion

Satisfactory result was obtained with orthodontic traction of multiple impacted teeth and eventually restored the aesthetics of a young girl.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare they have no conflict of interest.

Source o f F unding

No financial support was received for the work within this manuscript.