Atypical retention of infraoccluded primary molars with permanent successor teeth

Therapeutic Strategies of Primary Molar Infraocclusion: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Infraocclusion of deciduous molars is a clinical disturbance that occurs during primary and mixed dentition and has some orthodontic implications. Infraoccluded teeth are believed to be potential sites of malocclusion, with a risk of tipping neighbouring teeth and losing space. This systematic review aims to analyse the management of primary molars infraocclusion and to provide updated guidelines.

METHODS

A literature search was performed using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases from 1 January 2017 to 28 November 2022. The inclusion criteria were: studies only on human subjects, open access studies, case reports, randomised trials, retrospective, observational studies, and English language.

RESULTS

A total of 372 publications were identified from the databases and a final number of nine studies were included in the review for qualitative analysis.

CONCLUSION

Management of patients suffering from infraocclusion depends on the severity, age at diagnosis, and presence of succeeded premolars. Early diagnosis of infraoccluded primary elements is fundamental and cannot be postponed. Preservation of the primary molars may be a valid option with long-term stability if there is no or moderate primary molar infraocclusion, root resorption of less than half of the root, and no decay or restoration.

Prevalence and Manifestations of Dental Ankylosis in Primary Molars Using Panoramic X-rays: A Cross-Sectional Study

Dental ankylosis is a serious condition defined as the process that causes the fusion between the dentin or the cementum of the root and the alveolar bone, with the obliteration of the periodontal ligament becoming progressively replaced by bone tissue. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence, location, severity, and association of dental ankylosis in primary molars with other dental anomalies such as the agenesis of permanent buds. For this study 150 panoramic x-rays were selected from patients with temporary or mixed dentition, aged six to twelve years old, from a private dentistry office and from the Pediatric Dentistry Department of UMFST in Targu-Mures, Romania. In order to identify the cases with dental ankylosis, the presence and severity of the infraocclusion, displacements of the neighboring teeth, the appearance of the root area, and the relationship with the bone tissue were examined. For evaluation of the categorical data we used Fischer’s exact test and the Chi-squared test and the chosen significance level was set at 0.05. The results showed that the highest percentage of cases with ankylosis was found in the first group (six to nine years old), respectively, with 72% of cases compared with the second group (ten to twelve years old) with 28% of cases. Findings showed that there was no positive association between dental ankylosis and gender, but a strong correlation was found regarding the location on the dental arches. Most cases were identified on the lower arch with a higher percentage in quadrant three. Of the two primary molars, the most affected by ankylosis was the first molar in quadrant three, followed by the second molar, and finally the first molar in quadrant four. Most cases diagnosed with ankylosis had a mild to moderate degree of infraocclusion; therefore, changes in the functional balance of the dental arch and on neighboring teeth were insignificant. There were some differences obtained between our results and studies from the literature, especially regarding the localization in the lower left dental arch, but these differences can be attributed to the number of the subjects selected and from the methodology of dental ankylosis diagnosis. Based on the data obtained, it was concluded that ankylosis is a dental condition which occurs in children in early mixed dentition, especially in the lower arch, with the first primary molar being the most affected tooth. The presence of infraocclusion and the absence of dental mobility, especially during the stage of primary molars’ root resorption, are the main signs which must be followed to make an early diagnosis and prevent further complications.

Dental anomalies: prevalence and associations between them in a large sample of non-orthodontic subjects, a cross-sectional study

Background

To analyze the prevalence and associations between dental anomalies detectable on panoramic radiographs in a sample of non-orthodontic growing subjects.

Methods

For this cross-sectional study, digital panoramic radiographs of 5005 subjects were initially screened from a single radiographic center in Rome. Inclusion criteria were: subjects who were aged 8–12 years, Caucasian, and had good diagnostic quality radiographs. Syndromic subjects, those with craniofacial malformation, or orthodontic patients were excluded and this led to a sample of 4706 subjects [mean (SD) age = 9.6 (1.2) years, 2366 males and 2340 females]. Sample was subsequently divided into four subgroups (8, 9, 10, and 11–12 year-old groups). Two operators examined panoramic radiographs to observe the presence of common dental anomalies. The prevalence and associations between dental anomalies were also investigated.

Results

The overall prevalence of dental anomalies was 20.9%. Approximately, 17.9% showed only one anomaly, 2.7% two anomalies, while only 0.3% had more than two anomalies. The most frequent anomalies were the displacement of maxillary canine (7.5%), hypodontia (7.1%), impacted teeth (3.9%), tooth ankylosis (2.8%), and tooth transposition (1.4%). The lower right second premolar was the most frequent missing teeth; 3.7% had only one tooth agenesis, and 0.08% had six or more missing tooth (Oligodontia). Mesiodens was the most common type of supernumerary tooth (0.66%). Two subjects had taurodontic tooth (0.04%). Tooth transpositions and displacement of maxillary canine were seen in 1.4 and 7.5%, retrospectively (approximately 69 and 58% were in the 8 and 9 year-old groups, retrospectively). Significant associations were detected between the different dental anomalies (P < .05).

Conclusions

The results of our study revealed significant associations among different dental anomalies and provide further evidences to support common etiological factors.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12903-017-0352-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Infraoccluded Upper Deciduous Second Molars Leading to Caries in the Permanent Dentition

Infraocclusion of primary teeth is a problem that can be recognized early by the general dental practitioner. Allowing affected teeth to deteriorate beyond a point where active intervention would be recommended can make treatment of the condition more complex or may lead to unexpected sequelae. The case described in this report of infraoccluded primary teeth, suffered pathology in adjacent teeth, leading to multiple extractions and fixed orthodontic treatment post surgery. This case highlights the need for early recognition of infraocclusion by the GDP and will suggest interceptive treatment options. CPD/CLINICAL RELEVANCE: To highlight the need of interceptive orthodontics in primary care when required.

Management of a severely submerged primary molar: a case report

Ankylosis is a condition frequently associated with primary molars, wherein the ankylosed primary teeth remain in a fixed position, while the adjacent teeth continue to erupt, moving occlusally. In this case report, a five-year-old boy, who had a retained and submerged left lower second primary molar, was presented. Luxation of ankylosed primary molar was considered as a treatment approach. After four months, the tooth erupted to the occlusal level, and there was evidence of further development of a permanent successor in radiographic evaluation. After one year, tooth mobility, bone formation, and development of a permanent successor were in good condition.

Primary failure of eruption or severe infra-occlusion: a misdiagnosis?

BACKGROUND

The literature considers primary failure of eruption (PFE) and infra-occlusion as two separate clinical entities and there are no clearly identified signs and symptoms that aid to facilitate a definitive diagnosis between these two conditions. Therefore, it is the purpose of this report to illustrate a case to emphasise the potential for misdiagnosis when categorising these conditions as two separate clinical entities.

CASE REPORT

A 5-year-old Chinese boy was referred for the management of an unerupted primary mandibular left second molar tooth (75). Intra-oral examination revealed a primary dentition, with a PFE of tooth 75. He was scheduled for surgical removal of tooth 75 and placement of a space maintainer. Following improvements in the position of tooth 75 in the subsequent visits, the surgical option was disregarded and eventually tooth 75 erupted and exfoliated despite apparent mechanical obstructions.

FOLLOW-UP

During the 6-year follow-up period, tooth 75 moved mesially resorbing the distal root of tooth 74 which was later extracted to facilitate the eruption of tooth 75; which then underwent normal exfoliation.

CONCLUSION

While the present case could indicate the unpredictability of infra-occluded teeth, it is postulated that infra-occluded teeth erupt to the occlusal plane and then remain static due to mechanical obstructions, while the adjacent teeth accompany the growing alveolar bone. Conversely, teeth with PFE do not erupt and the mechanical obstructions are secondary factors. Therefore, the patient's age, at the time of diagnosis, may lead to the diagnosis of infra-occlusion; but it could have been PFE.