[Induction alveolectomies and root malformations].

In connection with 2 cases of dental retention due to radicular malformations, the authors draw attention to the following three points: 1. The diastema in which the retained tooth develops should exceed its mediodistal diameter. 2. The malformation of the root is not a counter-indication for induction alveolectomy: this triggers growth of the alveolar bone satellite of the tooth, following a process different from the usual mechanism of dental eruption. It could mean that the coronary portion, which is of epithelial origin, is rejected by its bony, connective tissue environment. 3. They would like diagnosis of dento-maxillary disharmony to be graded: --difficult to judge from X-rays alone; --dubious when abnormalities in the transverse diameter of the arches also contribute to crowding of the teeth.