Correspondence
Dr. Pankaj Akhare BDS., MDS, Senior Lecturer,
Department of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics
VSPM’s Dental College & Research Centre.
Nagpur, Maharashtra, India.
E-mail: dr_pankaj_a@yahoo.co.in
Mob. No: +91 98900 98980
Fax: +91 712 662 9646

Introduction: Management of impacted teeth in the orthodontic practice is of paramount importance, as the existence of one (or more) impacted teeth may complicate orthodontic treatment and present dilemmas especially when inaccessibility or ankylosis is factors. The management of impacted teeth in orthodontic practice varies widely from extraction of the impacted tooth to forced orthodontic eruption. Orthodontic eruption varies between closed or open techniques that must be determined for each case.

Materials and Methods: Ninety five impacted teeth in sixty two patients were followed with attention to the choice of technique and results. The approaches for handling the impacted teeth were open forced eruption, closed forced eruption and extraction when indicated. Bonding with self-cure orthodontic composite was used for eighty nine teeth and light cure (40 second curing time) used on seven teeth. The purpose of this research is todiscuss the prognosis of impacted teeth, the approach of orthodontic forced eruption and when to extract. This research also discusses the means of diagnosis of impacted teeth including periapical, panoramic and occlusal radiographs and even lateral cephalometric radiographs.

Conclusion: It is recommended that the decision regarding orthodontic forced eruption (closed or open), or extraction be based on evaluation of each independent case. Ankylosis, resorption, eruption failure and periodontal pockets are complications that need to be taken into account. Another complication can often be noticed is bonding failure especially in closed force eruption. However, new bonding materials such as light cure composites along with improved technique for isolating the exposed tooth have helped to overcome this problem. Finally, the more precise the location and position of the impacted tooth is known, the easier the procedure becomes.

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