AAO Annual Session 2024 - Managing the "Impact" of Unerupted Teeth

Orthodontic and Pediatric Dental Specialists are often faced with the time-sensitive management of permanent tooth eruption problems. These clinical manifestations can range from those that are severe and associated with syndromes or the singular instance of a partially erupted tooth. The diagnosis and management of clinical eruption disorders is challenging, largely because the primary mechanism of normal eruption is itself an elusive concept and difficult to study. Over the years, partially owing to the post-genomic era, we have a clearer understanding of what is known about tooth eruption, including normal and abnormal events. In this course, we will consider the broad manifestation of impacted or erupted teeth in the context of whether a mechanical obstruction exists, or a biologic defect has caused eruption failure. Our consideration will include determining the best approach to managing these issues and understanding the events that led to an uncoupling of the resorptive and appositional processes.