Adjustable Removable Traction Appliance With Surgically Assisted Eruption for Impacted Maxillary Central Incisors

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Orthodontics
• Pediatric Dentistry

Background:

• Impacted maxillary central incisors (MCIs) negatively affect children's aesthetics, speech, and maxillofacial development.
• Current traction methods are often complex and time-consuming.
• Surgically assisted eruption combined with orthodontic traction is a preferred clinical approach.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of a novel adjustable removable traction appliance used with surgically assisted eruption for impacted MCIs.
• To compare the outcomes with untreated contralateral incisors.

Main Methods:

• A prospective controlled study involving 10 children (aged 7-10) with impacted MCIs.
• Intervention group received surgical eruption and the adjustable removable traction appliance.
• Control group received no treatment; contralateral incisors served as controls.
• Evaluations included CBCT for root development, periodontal probing, and pulp vitality tests.

Main Results:

• The intervention group showed a 100% success rate with no adverse reactions.
• Significant improvements in root length, alveolar bone levels, and periodontal-gingival parameters were observed.
• Post-treatment, the intervention group exhibited enhanced root development and favorable periodontal-pulp conditions compared to the control group.

Conclusions:

• The adjustable removable traction appliance with surgically assisted eruption is a reliable and effective treatment for impacted MCIs.
• This approach promotes optimal root development and maintains periodontal-pulp health.
• The method offers a simpler and potentially faster alternative to existing traction techniques.