Orthodontic treatment of an ankylosed maxillary central incisor through single-tooth osteotomy by using interdental space regained from microimplant anchorage

This case report describes the treatment of a boy, aged 13.6 years, whose ankylosed maxillary left central incisor had been avulsed and replanted 2.5 years earlier. Ankylosis of the tooth and adjacent alveolar process led to the development of infraocclusion, migration of adjacent teeth, midline deviation, and a vertical alveolar bone defect. Initially, distal tooth movement in the maxillary arch was performed with microimplant anchorage to gain space for repositioning the ankylosed tooth. Then a single-tooth osteotomy was performed in 1 surgical stage to allow for inferior repositioning of the tooth and bone. The ankylosed tooth was successfully leveled in the maxillary arch with a harmonic gingival margin. The total treatment period was 18 months, and the results were acceptable at 14 months after debonding.