Erbium laser treatment of an impacted first mandibular premolar: a case report

Dental impaction defines a tooth that, instead of erupting to occupy its functional position, is partially or totally retained and remains within the bone. Retained teeth can be placed in the normal arch position through a combination of orthodontics and conventional surgical techniques, or a combination of orthodontics and laser surgery, as in the case here presented of a 14-year-old boy with an impacted first mandibular premolar, covered by bone, and with complete root formation and an erupted second premolar. The impacted premolar was surgically exposed using an Er,Cr:YSGG laser and at the same time an orthodontic bracket was bonded to provide traction to move the first premolar into its arch position.