A review of clinical features in 13 cases of impacted primary teeth

The aim of this study was to review clinical findings in 14 impacted primary teeth in 13 cases treated at a Paediatric Dental Clinic over a period of 18 years.

The retrospective study used clinical records, radiographs and oral photographs. Data included age, gender, presenting complaints, location, radiographic findings, aetiological factors, treatment and prognosis of impacted primary teeth and their permanent successors.

The patients included five males and eight females aged from one year two months to seven years five months. One case had impacted bilateral, mandibular primary central incisors and the remaining 12 cases each had one impacted tooth. The maxillary second primary molar was the tooth most frequently involved. Permanent successor tooth germs were identified in 12 teeth but not in two. Five cases were impacted because of odontomas, in the case with bilaterally affected mandibular primary central incisors these were malpositioned and were erupting ectopically. In seven cases, aetiology was unknown. Four impacted primary teeth were extracted because eruption was unlikely. In four cases, odontomas were surgically removed and the teeth kept under observation. The remaining six were surgically exposed. Traction was applied in two of the six. Eight of the teeth erupted. In two teeth in which traction was used, one was subsequently extracted, and one erupted. In the cases of seven, permanent successors erupted. These were hypoplastic teeth and were delayed in development and eruption.

Impacted primary teeth may be associated with defects in development and eruption of their permanent successors, long-term observation is therefore necessary until the permanent successors erupt.