Periodontal adaptation following extensive extrusion and rotation of a horizontally impacted maxillary central incisor. A case report.

This report reviews the literature concerning the periodontal considerations involved in nonextraction management of impacted teeth. Further, it describes the clinical and radiographic features of periodontal tissue response to an 18-mm extrusion and 160 degree simultaneous rotation of a horizontally impacted maxillary central incisor in a 22-year-old female patient. Following surgical exposure of the unerupted incisor, an elastic thread traction was used to orthodontically move the tooth to the line of occlusion. Posttreatment evaluation of the periodontal and gingival response to a tooth movement of this complexity and magnitude was very favorable from the esthetic and functional aspects.