Corralling migrating teeth can limit oral disease

Sept. 11, 2012
Corralling migrating teeth can limit oral disease, say an interdisciplinary team of scientists. Their clinical report in the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry suggests a combination of periodontal therapy, orthodontic treatment, and prosthodontic rehabilitation to manage spacing between incisors.

Corralling migrating teeth can limit oral disease, say an interdisciplinary team of scientists. Their clinical report in the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry suggests a combination of periodontal therapy, orthodontic treatment, and prosthodontic rehabilitation to manage spacing between incisors.

Read the article "An interdisciplinary treatment to manage pathologic tooth migration: a clinical report," by Se-Lim Oh, DMD, MS, assistant professor, Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Maryland Dental School, Baltimore, Md.

Abstract
Pathologic tooth migration (PTM) is a common symptom of periodontal disease and a motivation for the patient to seek dental therapy. The primary factors causing PTM are periodontitis and occlusal trauma. Comprehensive treatment for managing a moderate degree of PTM, including periodontal, orthodontic, and prosthodontic treatment is described. Increasing the occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) with provisional restorations was attempted to create space for retracting maxillary flared teeth. Retraction and intrusion of maxillary flared incisors were achieved by a sectional orthodontic appliance. Splinted crowns from maxillary right lateral incisor to left lateral incisor were fabricated and connected to posterior prostheses by means of attachments to prevent relapse and to provide long-term stability. (J Prosthet Dent 2011; 106:153-158)