Orthodontic extrusion: an interdisciplinary approach to patient management

Root fractures that occur at the cervical margin do not always heal predictably, even following a period of splinting. This often leaves margins either sub-gingival or sub-crestal. This provides an unsatisfactory situation for restoring the remaining root as restorations will impinge on the biological width. Provided a root is long enough to support a post crown, then orthodontic extrusion to provide sufficient supra-gingival tooth tissue is a useful treatment option to consider. A review of the literature on orthodontic extrusion is considered in conjunction with a case report of the management of a young male who fractured a canine and lateral incisor whilst playing cricket.

Trauma to upper anterior teeth is frequently seen in practice. One treatment option in the management of sub-crestal cervical root fractures is orthodontic extrusion, rather than removal of the tooth.