Prolonged retention of deciduous teeth, prematurity, and low birth weight: Report clinical case

Abstract

Prolonged retention of primary teeth may indicate an alteration in the physiological resorption process of these teeth. Several factors can influence the root resorption of primary teeth and consequently alter the proper irruption of successor permanent teeth. Prematurity and low birth weight are systemic factors that seem to be causes of the delay in eruption in the irruption of permanent teeth. The objective of this article was to present a clinical case of prolonged retention of primary teeth and delayed eruption of permanent teeth in an 8-year-old patient with a history of prematurity and low birth weight; the consequences of the delay in the irruption and the proposed treatment. The approach involved anamnesis, clinical examination, complementary radiographic examinations (periapical and panoramic) and then the surgical interventions were scheduled, divided into two clinical sessions of tooth extractions of the dental elements that hindered the irruption of the successor permanent elements; Initially elements 52 and 62 and then teeth 73 and 83. It was concluded that the timely evaluation of the retention of the deciduous teeth and the delay in the eruption of the successor permanent teeth was important for the treatment decision in a preterm patient with low birth weight, making the surgical intervention appropriate to hinder the slow eruption and/or impaction of the successor permanent teeth and to avoid damage to the patient's occlusion.  reducing the future need for invasive corrective treatment, while also considering the need to monitor the clinical progress of the case.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.56238/sevened2023.007-023