From Volume 12, Issue 3, July 2019 | Pages 106-110
Unerupted maxillary incisors should be identified and managed promptly. When exposure and bonding of a gold chain to an unerupted tooth is indicated, there are multiple methods that can be used to apply traction to the tooth. This paper outlines the different methods available, their advantages and disadvantages and the important safety considerations. Treatment often utilizes small components which may pose an inhalation or ingestion risk if not used appropriately.
Unerupted maxillary incisors can have a large detrimental impact on dental and facial aesthetics which can subsequently affect patient psychology and self-esteem.1,2,3,4 Missing front teeth can also affect function and the developing dentition and therefore should be identified and managed as early as possible.3,4
The overall incidence of unerupted maxillary incisors has been found to be 2.6% in the referred population5 and is more common in males.6 The normal age of eruption of maxillary central and lateral incisors is 7−9 years.7 Eruption is considered to be delayed if:4
The aetiology of delayed eruption can be hereditary or environmental, with common causes including supernumerary teeth, odontomes, previous trauma, early loss of deciduous teeth and retained deciduous teeth.4,8
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