Bilateral fusion of mandibular primary teeth with partial anodontia of permanent teeth: A report of a rare case

• Published in: Saudi Journal for Health Sciences Vol. 6; no. 3; pp. 182 - 184
• Main Authors: Reddy, V, Chowdhary, Nagalakshmi, Kumar, G, Ambareen, Zeenath
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd 01.09.2017
• Subjects: fusion; Bilateral; congenital missing; primary teeth
• ISSN: 2278-0521; 2278-0521
• DOI: 10.4103/sjhs.sjhs_43_17

Fusion is a developmental anomaly of shape of the tooth seen in developing primary or permanent teeth. Etiology is not exactly known, but the physical pressure or force generated during growth causes contact and fusion between adjacent tooth buds. The genetic foundation for the anomaly is possibly autosomal dominant with reduced penetrance. The bilateral type of fusion in the primary dentition is very rare and is usually 0.02%. Till now, only 18 cases have been previously reported in dental literature since 1940, and in the Indian population, only few cases have been reported. In bilateral fusion of primary lateral incisor and canine, 75% chance of lacking the succedaneous lateral incisors have been reported. The anomalies of the permanent dentition are strongly associated with anomalies in the primary dentition. The potential clinical problems associated with fusion require orthodontic, prosthetic, cosmetic, and periodontal intervention also. Thus, to establish a right treatment to this anomaly, the early proper examination and knowledge to recognize the anomalies associated between primary teeth and permanent teeth is a prerequisite.