Early detection and prevention of mandibular tooth transposition

Distal migration of the mandibular permanent lateral incisor happens rarely and it can be discovered radiographically in the early mixed dentition. If unattended, the tooth may erupt ectopically, usually distal to its normal anatomical position and occlusal to the developing first premolar, and it can become transposed with the permanent canine. Early detection and immediate interceptive removal of the retained deciduous lateral incisor and canine, followed by uprighting the ectopic lateral incisor to its normal anatomical position in the arch, will intercept the problem and prevent the developing transposition.