The surgical uprighting of mandibular second molars

The mandibular second molars can become impacted beneath the crown of the first molars and fail to erupt normally. A study of 22 cases with follow-up periods of at least 18 months shows the results obtained by surgical uprighting of these teeth. Of 22 teeth, one has been lost but none of the remaining 21 has developed infection or required root treatment, and all are in good occlusion. Six teeth give a normal response to electrical pulp testing. In most cases, with judicious bone removal, the second molar is firm and stable after uprighting and requires no splinting, but in some cases temporary stabilization is required. The bone defect normally seen mesially after uprighting reossifies both clinically and radiographically.