Treatment Strategies for Ankylosed Temporary Molars

Abstract

Dentoalveolar ankylosis is defined as an eruption defect induced by the fusion of the alveolar bone with the cement or the dentin of the tooth related to the periodontal ligament loss. Its etiology is still discussed but it is known to have a genetic association and a relation with a disruption of the periodontal ligament metabolism. This pathology often leads to alterations in the dentition such as infraocclusion and disruptions of the path of eruption leading to arch length loss. Although ankylosis is predominantly found in primary dentition, it is a frequent disease and its incidence is higher in females than males, affecting also significantly more mandibular molars than maxillary molars. The most frequently ankylosed tooth is the lower first primary molar. Nowadays, diagnosis techniques include intraoral exploration with movement checking, radiological study for exfoliation or periodontal ligament disappearance. When it comes to treatment, we distinguish two situations: when there is a premolar precursor and when there’s an agenesis of the premolar but it can remain difficult for the clinician to come up with the best therapeutic choice.