Failed eruption of the permanent canine following open reduction of a mandibular fracture in a child.

A 10-year-old patient with failed eruption of the right mandibular canine associated with a retained metal plate previously placed to reduce a mandibular body fracture is presented. The incidence and site of mandibular fractures related to the developing permanent dentition and the relevance of this to popular methods of fixation employed in the reduction of fractures is discussed.