Management of Ectopic Teeth

Question 1

What is the definition of an ectopic tooth?

Answer 1

Malpositioned tooth due to congenital factors of pathological factors.

Question 2

At what age should a canine be palpable in the buccal sulcus?

Answer 2

10 years old

Question 3

What are the treatment options for ectopic canines?

Answer 3

1. Extraction of deciduous canine to encourage permanent incisor
2. Surgical exposure of canine and orthodontic alignment
3. Surgical removal of canine and orthodontic alignment
4. Surgical removal of canine, no further treatment
5. Transplantation of canine (more success with open aoex)
6. No treatment

Question 4

What is the difference between an open and closed response with surgically exposing canines?

Answer 4

CLOSED:
- Envelope flap raised by incision along gingival margin
- Bone removed over canine
- Gold chain composite bonded to the canine

OPEN:
- palatal muco-periosteal flap raised
- remove bone over canine
- leave canine exposed

Question 5

What are the main types of supernumary teeth?

Answer 5

1. CONICAL: usually remain unerupted, example is mesiodens
2. TUBERCULATE: tends to occur palatally of central incisors, prevents eruption of a permanent tooth
3. ODONTOME: complex or compound, composed of normal dental tissue grown abnormally
4. SUPPLEMENTAL: normal tooth appearance, last in tooth series

Question 6

When do supernumerary teeth require extraction?

Answer 6

• If impending eruption of permanent tooth
• If displacing a permanent tooth
• If causing resorption of adjacent tooth roots
• If preventing orthodontic alignment of dentition
• If involved in pathology e.g. cyst, tumour, fracturewq