A Case Report of Occulusal Guidance of Impacted Upper Left Central Incisor Using an Expansion Appliance

Abstract

The patient, a eight years old boy, was refered to the Dental Hospital of Meikai University School of Dentistry for a detailed dental examination of delayed eruption of the upper left central incisor. His medical history and oral findings showed no demonstrable abnomalities at the site of the upper left central incisor except for delayed eruption. The radiographical examinations revealed that the root of the upper left central incisor had been almost completed, and the cusp of the tooth was still impacted at the level of the cervical area of the right central incisor. According to the analysis of the dental study model, the arch length discrepancy showed shortage of 3 mm.
The 3 D-Quard Herix appliance was applied at the upper dentition for expansion of the upper dentition and then the impacted tooth was guided in its eruption by fenestration and traction procedures. The tooth was finally aligned with the normal dental arch using the direct-bonding system.