Abnormal premolar eruption: classification, aetiology, and treatment based on a case series study

The ectopic mandibular canines can start tooth formation in three different locations: a case series study based on single orthopantomograms from 47 individuals

INTRODUCTION

A former study on orthopantomograms from young children with abnormal dental development (not canine ectopia) demonstrated that the tooth bud of the mandibular canine, compared to a stable longitudinal canine axis, could be located normally, anteriorly or posteriorly, with close relation to the first premolar.

AIM

The aim of the present study is to analyse on orthopantomograms if the canine axis can demonstrate where the ectopic mandibular canine started tooth formation.

MATERIALS

The material consists of orthopantomograms with ectopic mandibular canines and presence of primary mandibular canines from 47 cases (29 cases 9-21 years old and 18 cases with unknown ages). The primary canines demonstrated from minor apical resorption to more severe apical resorption.

METHODS

Based on canine maturity, location of the canine axes and the interrelationships between the roots of the permanent canine and first premolar, the location from where the canine started tooth formation was determined. Canine maturity. Maturity stage below half root length and maturity stage above half root length revealed that 11 ectopic canines had less than half root length and 36 cases more than half root length. Canine axes. The canine axis, through the length of the primary canines Ax, is inserted on drawings of the orthopantomograms using the tracing programme Inkscape®. Interrelationship between roots. By visual inspection, the distance between the canine and first premolar was designated close distance, normal distance and extended distance.

RESULTS

The results are divided into 3 groups. Group 1: The initial site of the permanent ectopic canine is located within the canine axis (6 cases). Group 2: The initial site of the permanent ectopic canine is located posterior to the canine axis (36 cases). Group 3: The initial site of the permanent ectopic canine is located anterior to the canine axis (5 cases).

CONCLUSION

The study explained that the canine axis could divide cases of ectopic canines into three groups according to the location from where tooth formation starts. For getting closer to the pattern of the ectopic canine eruption, it is necessary to analyse series of orthopantomograms taken from the same individual over several years.

The location of the permanent mandibular canine as identified in orthopantomograms from children younger than 5 years of age: a case series study

AIM

The aim of this case series study is to describe where the crowns of the permanent mandibular canines are located in early childhood in relation to the preceding primary canines.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From a sample of 31 orthopantomograms from children, younger than 5 years of age, the location of the mandibular canines was analysed by visual inspection. The radiographs were taken due to different deviations in the dentition and forwarded during a period of 28 years for elucidating different diagnostic questions. From an embryological point of view, the primary canine was considered as a stable structure in the jawbone. A longitudinal axis through the primary canine was named the canine axis. The initial site of the permanent crown was the site, where the permanent lamina "placed" the tooth bud for final development. A normal site was determined when the canine axis passed though the permanent crown and a pathological site was determined when this did not happen.

RESULTS

Normal sites for the permanent crowns were observed in 19 cases and abnormal sites in 8 cases. In four cases, the interrelationship between the canine axis and the permanent crown could not be decided. The study demonstrated that the tooth germ for the permanent canine can start initial formation misplaced distally or mesially to the preceding primary tooth.

CONCLUSION

The study demonstrates different malpositions of the initial crowns of the permanent mandibular canines in children younger than 5 years of age. The results are considered of importance for future understanding of the aetiology behind ectopic mandibular canines.

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.