Open surgical exposure with apically positioning flap technique: A treatment for apically impacted maxillary incisors and canine

Abstract

Introduction: Impacted teeth are a condition in which the teeth cannot erupt completely. The most effective method for treating labial impacted teeth is the apical flap position technique which maintains attached gingiva. This paper aims to show how the apical flap positioning technique works as a treatment for impacted maxillary incisors and canines. Case presentation: A 12-year-old girl came with her mother to the pediatric dentistry clinic at Universitas Airlangga with complaints of non-erupting upper front teeth. From the clinical examination, it was found that teeth 21,22,23 were impacted. The examination begins with anamnesis and clinical examination, followed by panoramic, cephalometric, occlusal, and CBCT. Case Management: Fixed orthodontic treatment is carried out to get a place for impacted teeth 21,22,23. Open surgery with an apically positioned flap technique is performed by making a flap to open the crown, minimizing the bone covering the enamel surface, and then restoring the flap by lifting and joining it with the attached gingiva so that it leaves half to two-thirds of the crown visible. In the H+7 control, removal of sutures, evaluation of treatment measures, and examination of the patient's condition and postoperative recovery were carried out. Fixed orthodontic treatment is still ongoing as of this writing. Conclusion: Open surgical exposure with the apical flap technique is a good technique to be used in cases of impacted maxillary incisors and canines.