Interdisciplinary treatment of an adult patient with an ankylosed incisor: A case report

• The gold standard for diagnosis of tooth ankylosis is failure to move during traction. • An impacted and ankylosed upper incisor was successfully moved via loosening and traction. • CBCT superimposition based on stable structures were used to evaluate tooth movement. • In this era of dental implants, tooth-saving treatment remains the most desirable option. Impacted teeth are a common problem in orthodontic practice. In cases where a tooth needs to be saved, orthodontic traction is usually the first choice of treatment. However, traction is not always successful with severe ankylosis of the impacted tooth. To address this problem, a method of surgical-assisted orthodontic traction has therefore been proposed. This case report illustrates the treatment of a 19-year-old female with an impacted ankylosed maxillary left incisor. Following unsuccessful single orthodontic traction, surgical-assisted orthodontic traction was performed. The impacted incisor was successfully extruded, and as a result of treatment, the occlusion, profile and smile esthetics were improved. Occlusion and the overall profile remained satisfactory for the one year following retention. This case study indicates that treatment of impacted ankylosed teeth with an orthodontic-surgical multidisciplinary approach can effectively improve function, occlusion, and facial esthetics.