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New Teeth From Old: Treatment Options For Retained Primary Teeth
New Teeth From Old: Treatment Options For Retained Primary Teeth
PRACTICE
causes, particularly for GDPs.
• Outlines treatment options for such
Retention of primary teeth beyond their expected exfoliation date is encountered relatively frequently. Most commonly this
is due to absence of the permanent successor. In this article patient assessment and the restorative treatment options are
discussed with particular emphasis on retention of the primary tooth/teeth in the medium to long-term. The restorative
techniques that may be used to improve aesthetics and function of retained primary teeth are illustrated. Consideration of
this minimally invasive approach is commended in such cases.
Introduction Many of these problems can be overcome anomalies.9 It is essential that practition-
Primary teeth may be retained for a with orthodontic and/or surgical interven- ers monitor the developing dentition and
variety of reasons, the most common tion, a discussion of which is beyond the there should be a high index of suspicion
being developmental absence of the per- scope of this article. if eruption of permanent tooth is more
manent successor. While agenesis of pri- Agenesis of some permanent teeth is than one year later than expected, or has
mary teeth is rare (0.1-0.9%),1 absence of more common than others. Third molars not commenced within six months of the
permanent teeth is encountered relatively excepted, mandibular second premolars emergence of the contra-lateral tooth.
frequently with a prevalence of 2.5-6.9%.2 are most frequently missing (2.9-3.2%), Particular attention should be paid to max-
Variations between racial groups have followed by maxillary lateral incisors illary canines which should be palpable
been noted as has a female predilection - (1.6-1.8%), maxillary second premo- buccally by the age of ten in most cases.10
a female: male ratio of 1.37:1 reported.2 lars (1.4-1.6%) and mandibular incisors Should concerns arise, early referral to a
Various terms have been used to classify (0.2-0.4%)2 while the absence of other multidisciplinary team, often including
the number of missing permanent teeth. teeth is relatively rare. It should be noted paediatric, restorative and orthodontic
The absence of 1-5 teeth (except third when treatment planning that patients specialists, is advised.
molars) is described as ‘hypodontia’ while with one missing permanent tooth are Careful assessment is essential for all
severe hypodontia or oligodontia is the likely (83%)2 to have at least one other patients with retained primary teeth.
absence of six or more teeth. Anodontia missing tooth however, the absence Following consideration of general issues
describes the complete absence of of six or more teeth (oligodontia) is such as the patient’s health, motivation,
permanent teeth.3 rare (0.14%).2 expectations and oral health, a local
Even when the permanent tooth is The aetiology of dental agenesis has yet assessment should be made. Clinically
present it may fail to erupt leaving the to be fully explained. There is undoubtedly this should focus on the coronal shape,
primary tooth in situ. This can be a con- a genetic component 5,6 with an autosomal colour and structural integrity of the pri-
sequence of crowding, ankylosis of the dominant pattern of inheritance, variable mary teeth. The gingival level of these
primary tooth or the presence of supernu- expression and incomplete penetrance.3 teeth and their relationship to the occlusal
meraries or other obstructions.3 Maxillary Certain syndromes such as ectodermal plane should be noted as it is often coro-
canines may become ectopic if the adja- dysplasia are associated with develop- nal to that of the permanent teeth. Inter-
cent lateral incisor is diminutive or absent.4 mental absence of large numbers of teeth7 occlusal space may be reduced if primary
and even anodontia.8 Environmental teeth have worn allowing over-eruption of
factors may also be implicated such opposing teeth (Fig. 1).
1*
Specialist Registrar in Restorative Dentistry, 2Consult- as trauma, infection, irradiation and Conversely, the gingival and occlusal
ant in Restorative Dentistry, Leeds Dental Institute,
Restorative dentistry, Clarendon Way, Leeds, LS2 9LU
endocrine disorders.2 levels may be apically located and inter-
*Correspondence to: Dr Stephen Robinson occlusal space increased. This is com-
Email: stephen.robinson@mac.com Assessment of retained monly referred to as ‘infra-occlusion’
Refereed Paper
primary teeth and is frequently caused by ankylosis.
Accepted 22 June 2009
DOI: 10.1038/sj.bdj.2009.855
Often the general dental practitioner Ankylosis is fusion of the cementum to
© British Dental Journal 2009; 207: 315–320 will be first to encounter developmental the alveolar bone thus preventing normal
Fig. 5 Retained and infra-occluded lower right primary second molar. a) Occlusal view, b) Discussion
buccal view, c) radiograph showing favourable root length and form and absence of pathology.
d) Chamfer preparation for composite onlay. Indirect composite onlay e) buccal view, There are undoubtedly indications for
f) occlusal view extraction of retained primary teeth.
These include increasing mobility, clini-
cal symptoms, pathology, unfavourable
Implants are recognised as the treat- methods will continue to improve, means position and poor aesthetics. If primary
ment of choice for replacement of missing delaying implant placement in younger teeth are lost however, complete ortho-
teeth and generally have high success and patients may be prudent. Furthermore, it dontic space closure may be challenging
survival rates.26 Often however, where the is generally recommended that implant and each of the prosthodontic options has
permanent teeth have failed to develop, placement be delayed until skeletal associated drawbacks.
there is a corresponding underdevelop- growth has ceased. Retention of a pri- Partial dentures may be the only via-
ment of the alveolus.7 Reduced bone vol- mary tooth at least until the late teens is ble option for some patients with large
ume may complicate implant treatment therefore desirable. numbers of missing teeth and significant
necessitating local ridge augmentation, hard and soft tissue deficit. For patients
block onlay grafts, sinus grafting and Primary teeth as abutments with smaller numbers of missing perma-
in severe cases nerve trans-positioning The use of primary teeth as abutments nent teeth it is usually preferable to avoid
or orthognatic surgery.27 Clearly this for bridgework has not been widely removable prostheses which are often
increases the complexity, cost and mor- reported in the dental literature.28 If there poorly tolerated and may be associated
bidity of treatment and may compro- is satisfactory root length, morphology with inadequate plaque control and asso-
mise long term implant success. Patients and coronal structure, a conventional or ciated oral health problems.
in their teens or early twenties may be resin retained bridge may be cantilev- Fixed prosthodontic replacements too
expected to live for another 60 years ered from a retained primary tooth. If come with disadvantages. Conventional
or more. It is highly likely that some indeed there has been a degree of infra- fixed bridgework is destructive and may
complication will result in the need for occlusion this will reduce the need for compromise pulpal vitality, particularly
replacement of implants over their life- occlusal preparation, though teeth with in younger patients. Restoration margins
time. This, along with the likelihood that progressive infra-occlusion should not may also become visible due to changes
implant technology and augmentation be selected. Where the primary tooth is in gingival architecture. Resin bonded
practitioner. Br Dent J 2003; 194: 479–482. Casko J S, Southard T E. Retained deciduous man- ankylosed primary teeth in adult patients: a case
10. Shapira Y, Kuftinec M M. Early diagnosis and inter- dibular molars in adults: a radiographic study of report. Quintessence Int 1995; 26: 161–166.
ception of potential maxillary canine impaction. long-term changes. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 23. Ostler M S, Kokich V G. Alveolar ridge changes in
J Am Dent Assoc 1998; 129: 1450–1454. 2003; 124: 625–630. patients congenitally missing mandibular second
11. Bjerklin K, Bennett J. The long-term survival of lower 17. Kurol J, Olson L. Ankylosis of primary molars-a premolars. J Prosthet Dent 1994; 71: 144–149.
second primary molars in subjects with agenesis of future periodontal threat to the first permanent 24. Brook A H, Elcock C, Aggarwal M et al. Tooth
the premolars. Eur J Orthod 2000; 22: 245–255. molars? Eur J Orthod 1991; 13: 404–409. dimensions in hypodontia with a known
12. Winter G B, Gelbier M J, Goodman J R. Severe Infra- 18. Endo T, Yoshino S, Shinkai K, Ozoe R, Shimada M PAX9 mutation. Arch Oral Biol 2008; [Epub
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bances in the permanent dentition: a report of 28 anchor teeth. Angle Orthod 2007; 77: 537–541. Zwahlen M, Lang N P. A systematic review of
selected cases. Br J Orthod 1997; 24: 149–157. 19. Evans R D, Briggs P F. Restoration of an infra- the survival and complication rates of resin-
13. Haselden K, Hobkirk J A, Goodman J R, Jones S P, occluded primary molar with an indirect composite bonded bridges after an observation period of
Hemmings K W. Root resorption in retained decidu- onlay: a case report and literature review. Dent at least 5 years. Clin Oral Implants Res 2008;
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nt J Paediatr Dent 2001; 11: 171–178. functional rehabilitation of severely infra-occluded planning on the basis of scientific evidence. J Oral
14. Stanley H R, Collett W K, Hazard J A. Retention of primary molars in the presence of aplasia of the Rehabil 2008; 35 Suppl 1: 72–79.
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beyond the call of duty. ASDC J Dent Child 1996; Dent 2005; 93: 121–124. Treatment of severe hypodontiaoligodontia-an
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