The sequelae of surgical exposure of unerupted teeth

The late effects of surgical exposure of unerupted teeth were analyzed. Of 121 teeth, 62 had only the crowns exposed; additional traction was applied to 31 teeth and 28 were repositioned. Postoperative observation time ranged from eight months to 13 years. One hundred and eleven teeth assumed their position in the arch and were deemed successfully treated; ten teeth failed to erupt. Of the successfully treated teeth, 23% showed biological aberrations such as obliteration of the pulp, dwarfed roots, and denervation. These pathophysiologic changes, alone or in combination, were commensurate with the amount of trauma inflicted on the teeth. Teeth that wer repositioned showed the most change, whereas teeth that only had crowns exposed showed the least change.