Premature loss of maxillary primary incisor and delayed eruption of its successor : report of a case

AIM: Traumatic injuries to primary teeth represent one of the most common aetiologic factors of time-related eruption disturbances of permanent teeth. These include premature eruption, delayed eruption or impactions. CASE REPORT: A case of a 7.5-year-old male with delayed eruption of the maxillary permanent left incisor is presented. The case history revealed a trauma around the age of 3 involving its primary tooth predecessor, and its extraction by a dentist about one year later, due to frequent abscesses. The clinical examination showed an early mixed dentition and the single presence of tooth 11 in the dental arch, with an obvious aesthetic problem that affected the child's self image. The periapical x-ray ruled out any dimorphism on the impacted tooth, and it showed a root developed by two thirds. About 2 months after the examination, a simple gingivectomy was carried out, and the tooth could erupt completely 3 months later without any need for orthodontic traction. One year after surgery, a complete root development could be observed, as well as the presence of the lateral incisors with a moderate crowding.