Abstract
Tooth gemination is often presented clinically and radiologically as merged crowns or “megadonts” with or without a longitudinal fissure, single root, and a single pulp chamber. The increased mesiodistal width of these teeth results in poor anterior aesthetics, anterior crowding, and incisor rotation. Our aim is to present a conservative non-extraction orthodontic approach that provides both good aesthetics and long-term stability. It aims to achieve extra space to incorporate the megadonts into the dental arch and to exceed “super” class I dental relationships. Accordingly, this study shows that geminated teeth were successfully retained by means of conservative non-extraction orthodontic mechanotherapy and without premolar extractions or enamel reduction. It demonstrated stability during a long-term 15-year follow-up, in addition to high patient satisfaction, good aesthetics, and periodontal health. The solution protocol is definitive and achieved the aesthetic, psychological, and functional objectives at a feasible cost. Thus, this treatment has proven to be preferable to other alternative surgical prosthodontic and endodontic approaches in terms of its long-term stability, and by providing a solution that does not necessitate further multidisciplinary interventions. Dental practitioners in the fields of pediatric dentistry, endodontics and prosthodontics should be well aware of this option.
Highlights
Tooth gemination is defined as an incomplete formation of two teeth from a single tooth bud
Decoronation—removal of the tooth crown in infra-occlusion—leaving the root in its alveolus to be replaced by bone, is aimed at preserving the alveolar ridge for a future prosthodontic solution [11,12]
The pleasing aesthetic and functional results of this complex management treatment have been proven to be stable for a long time, sparing unnecessary dental intervention
Summary
Tooth gemination is defined as an incomplete formation of two teeth from a single tooth bud. The single root, which is enlarged in the mesiodistal dimension, incorporates a single, wide pulp chamber that may include two root canals It appears that gemination is caused by complex genetic and environmental factors [4]. The incidence of gemination is 0.1–0.47% in the general population and 0.07% in orthodontic patients [5], with no gender predilection [6]. It can be diagnosed in the permanent and primary dentitions [7] and may be associated with dental anomalies, such as dens in dente, macrodontia, hypodontia, and supernumerary teeth [2]. The differential diagnosis of gemination is tooth fusion: a complete or incomplete fusion of two adjacent teeth
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have