The impact of palatally guided active traction on function and esthetics of impacted central incisors therapy
Abstract
Aims: The aim was to evaluate success rate of impacted central incisor alignment in orthodontic therapy using the technique of closed eruption modified according to Marek and Starosta, with chain bonded on palatal surface of the impacted tooth and active traction directed to the top of alveolar ridge. Material and method: The sample included 19 patients with 21 impacted upper permanent central incisors in which the closed eruption technique was used to align the impacted tooth.
All patients were treated with fixed appliance in upper or in upper and lower dental arch. We evaluated the length of therapy, the length of clinical crown, the length of root, and the size of loose and attached gingiva against a reference tooth, pulp and periodontium condition with regard to the degree and etiology of impaction as well as the age of patients at the beginning of the therapy.
Results: The sample included 5 boys and 14 girls, the mean age of 9 years. The mean length of therapy was 22.2 +- 6.8 month; all teeth were successfully aligned.
In 7 patients the impaction was caused by root dilaceration (vestibular root angulation). Etiology and the degree (severity) of the condition at the beginning of the therapy did not significantly affect the length of therapy, the length of ORTODONCIE | ro>ník 30 | >. 3/2021 ODBORNÉ PRÁCE / ORGINAL ARTICLES 183 www.ortodonciejournal.cz | e-mail: redakce@ortodonciejournal.cz, office@ortodonciejournal.cz root after therapy, or the pulp condition.
Apico-coronary dimension of gingiva was statistically bigger in reference teeth, however, the difference was not statistically significant. The same holds true about the length of clinical crown.
Conclusion: Closed eruption technique with application of palatal traction towards the alveolar ridge tip closely resembles physiological eruption of a tooth.