Clinical management of the ectopic eruption of a maxillary first permanent molar – Case report

Abstract

Ectopic eruption is a concept including those clinical cases in which teeth show abnormal eruption pattern and erupt ectopically, in an incorrect position. This abnormality has been pointed out in the literature for the first permanent molars, mainly the maxillary ones. There is no specific etiological factor for this abnormality in the first permanent molar, but different factors are reported. The early approach of the ectopic eruption of the first permanent molar can prevent effects such as the early root resorption of the adjacent deciduous second molar and the loss of space for eruption of the premolar successor as well. The purpose of this paper was to report a ectopic eruption of a maxillary first permanent molar diagnosed in a nine-year-old patient with severe root resorption of the adjacent deciduous second molar. A simple and effective therapeutic approach was implemented to treat such abnormality. This clinical case was followed until complete eruption of the premolar successor.