To extract or not to extract? Management of infraoccluded second primary molars without successors.

Abstract

Infraocclusion is a term used to describe a tooth which has stopped its relative occlusal growth into the arch after the period of active eruption; as a result, the tooth becomes depressed below the occlusal plane. Although many aetiological mechanisms have been proposed, ankylosis is considered the primary cause of infraocclusion. Complex cases benefit from multidisciplinary management. This paper concentrates on the diagnosis and management of infraoccluded second primary molars, without permanent successors and without significant malocclusion, and provides clinicians with a treatment decision tree to aid in treatment planning.