Ankylosis of permanent molars – therapeutic options

Disturbance of permanent molars eruption may result in lateral open bite, malposition of neighbouring teeth and/or opposing teeth. One of the classifications of permanent molars eruption disorder distinguishes: impacted tooth, primary retention – primary failure of eruption (PFE), secondary retention disorder. In this study, the authors focus on secondary retention of lateral teeth. This phenomenon is associated with the presence of ankylosis in dental periodontium. This article, based on publications found in Medline/ Pubmed, presents different treatment options, which depend, among others, on the severity of infraocclusion and the patient’s age. Prosthetic reconstructions are unquestionably recommended in mild cases of secondary retention, in patients after growth spurt. In more severe cases, where prosthetic reconstruction would not fulfill its function properly, or in younger patients, different therapeutic methods are considered including, among others, extraction of the tooth in infraposition, orthodontic movement after luxation, segmental osteotomy or distraction of a fragment of the dentoalveolar process with the causal tooth. The authors describe various treatment methods with their advantages and disadvantages.