Strategies for treating an impacted maxillary central incisor

Impaction of a central maxillary incisor is relatively rare and, consequently, poses all the more problems to the diagnosing practitioner. The etiology, when known, can implicate the presence of an obstacle hindering eruption or a trauma to the temporary dentition. Central incisor impaction is revealed during routine examination or following concern on the part of parents who have noticed that a tooth is missing on the arch. When confronted with this anomaly, the practitioner should determine the precise position of the unerupted tooth and offer a customized treatment protocol. Whenever possible, orthodontic-surgical placement on the arch is the solution of choice. In all cases, the esthetic and functional issues at stake will oblige the various specialists to choose their treatment with caution and to follow the treatment plan very strictly. These different requirements must form part of a customized multidisciplinary treatment strategy.