Results of surgical exposure of impacted cuspids and bicuspids in relation to patients' somatic and dental maturation.

The aim of the study was to correlate the rate of postoperative eruption of impacted teeth after surgical exposure to the patient?S' SOMATIC AND DENTAL DEVELOPMENT. THIS RELATIONSHIP WAS ANALYZED IN 31 PATIENTW WITH IMPACTED CUSPIDS OR BICUSPIDS, 12 OF WHOM WERE OVER 25 AND 19 UNDER 21 YEARS OF AGE. Surgical uncovering of the impacted teeth was carried out and the degree of subsequent eruption was evaluated 4 months after the operation. On uncovering the crown was exposed as far as the cementoenamel juction and the surrounding bone was covered with mucous membrane. Dental age and growth rate were used as variables describing individual somatic and dental maturation. After surgical uncovering eruption took place in all but one tooth. Eruption was quicker and more complete in children who were still growing than in young adults. The eruption process was also more favorable in dentitions still under formation than in cases with completed dental development. Early intervention and total surgical uncovering of the crown are advocated in cases of impacted teeth.