Ankylosis of maxillary permanent first molar

A case of ankylosis of the maxillary right first permanent molar has been described. For 19 months, no change had been observed clinically or radiographically in the development of the tooth. A diagnosis of ankylosis of the unerupted tooth was made. Instead of extracting the tooth, the ankylosed tooth was rocked in the bone to break the point of ankylosis. The tooth subsequently erupted and satisfactory functional results were obtained. It is suggested that this procedure should be attempted in other cases of ankylosis of permanent teeth.