Surgical Repositioning of an Inverted Developing Incisor Assisted by 3D Technology

Abstract

Permanent central incisor impaction is very rare, and causes of impaction include adjacent supernumerary teeth, odontoma, and trauma. Surgical repositioning is a treatment option for teeth with ectopic eruption pathways. In this case report, an inverted developing maxillary central incisor was surgically repositioned at the initial stage of root development. Three dimensional (3D) virtual images were acquired using computed tomography, and a replica was produced by LCD-based masked stereolithography 3D printing. A resin for 3D printing was approved as a medical device and used as a 3D printing replica. Further, 3D technology has been found to be useful for successful tooth repositioning surgery.