Orthodontic treatment of a patient with unerupted maxillary central and lateral incisors and canine: a case report.

AIM: The aim of this case report was to describe the orthodontic and periodontal management of a patient with three impacted anterior teeth.

METHODS

An 18-year-old female with Class I crowding on a Class I skeletal base presented with the chief complaint of an unaesthetic smile. Clinical examination revealed an impacted upper right permanent canine (13), lateral (12) and central incisor (11), a retained deciduous incisor and moderate crowding in the lower arch. The impacted teeth were surgically exposed (closed exposure) and aligned with fixed appliances. The 12 was extracted due to root resorption and 44 extracted to resolve the lower arch crowding. A fraenectomy and gingival recontouring were required.

RESULTS

Orthodontic treatment resulted in improved overjet, overbite and an acceptable facial profile. The patient reported improved self esteem.

CONCLUSIONS

While impacted anterior teeth are a clinical challenge, their surgical exposure, in combination with fixed appliances, is a conservative treatment plan which is not without complications.