Analysis of lateral tooth movement during forced orthodontic eruption

Forced eruption is a prosthodontic procedure that enables the treatment of otherwise problematic restorative conditions. During the vertical orthodontic movement, the root may be moved laterally, affecting the position of a tooth in the arch.

This study quantified the degree of lateral movement possible during the eruptive procedure and addressed the significance of this movement from a theoretical and clinical standpoint.

A patient treatment, which demonstrated the movement in a single direction on the buccolingual axis, was isolated. On the basis of this theoretical model, a clinically relevant model was developed: A "worst-case" situation for each posterior tooth was calculated, from which clinical conclusions may be derived.

. In a given extrusion angle of 30 degrees, a lateral movement/shift of 0.58 mm resulted per 1 mm of eruption distance. The lateral movement for every millimeter of eruption and the maximum extrusion angle for each of the maxillary and mandibular posterior teeth were calculated.

The lateral movement that accompanies the forced eruption procedure may compromise or be used to esthetically enhance prosthodontic treatment.