Prepare for the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry Oral Boards. Utilize flashcards and multiple-choice questions with hints and explanations to ace your exam!

Multiple Choice

In a mature tooth with intrusion between 3 and 7 millimeters, the recommended treatment is

When a mature tooth (closed apex) is intruded by 3–7 mm, spontaneous re-eruption is unlikely because the pulp cannot readily revascularize and the pulp/PDL have sustained damage, putting the tooth at high risk for pulpal necrosis and inflammatory root resorption if left untreated. Repositioning the tooth to its proper position helps restore occlusion and function and reduces ongoing damage. This can be done either surgically or orthodontically. After repositioning, initiating endodontic treatment within about three weeks is important to prevent infection-related complications and resorption, since the pulp is at high risk of necrosis in a mature tooth after intrusion. Extraction would be considered only if the tooth is non-restorable or the prognosis is hopeless, but when repositioning is feasible and timely endodontic therapy is added, the prognosis for saving the tooth is better.

When a mature tooth (closed apex) is intruded by 3–7 mm, spontaneous re-eruption is unlikely because the pulp cannot readily revascularize and the pulp/PDL have sustained damage, putting the tooth at high risk for pulpal necrosis and inflammatory root resorption if left untreated. Repositioning the tooth to its proper position helps restore occlusion and function and reduces ongoing damage. This can be done either surgically or orthodontically. After repositioning, initiating endodontic treatment within about three weeks is important to prevent infection-related complications and resorption, since the pulp is at high risk of necrosis in a mature tooth after intrusion. Extraction would be considered only if the tooth is non-restorable or the prognosis is hopeless, but when repositioning is feasible and timely endodontic therapy is added, the prognosis for saving the tooth is better.