Management of bilateral impacted upper canines by single tooth dento-osseous osteotomy

When it is difficult to treat impacted teeth with orthodontic traction, surgical techniques including intentional luxation, autografts and distraction osteogenesis may be performed. However, these techniques are associated with problems such as root resorption, gingival recession and pulp circulatory disorders after extrusion. Single tooth dento-osseous osteotomy is considered to be a surgical technique with minimal effect on the pulp and periodontium. We used this method to treat a patient with impacted permanent canine teeth. After concomitant single tooth dento-osseous osteotomy and orthodontic treatment, root resorption of the bilateral canines was kept to a minimum and pulp vitality was confirmed. This method may be effective in patients in whom ordinary traction is difficult.