Three Cases of Submerged Permanent and Deciduous Teeth in Alveolar Bone in the Mandibular Molar Region and Review of the Literature

• Published in: Shika Hoshasen Vol. 38; no. 2; pp. 112 - 120
• Main Authors: KITAGAWA, Hiromi, SAITOU, Chikara, YAMADA, Masayuki, KUROYANAGI, Kinya, HIROSE, Satoshi, YAMAMOTO, Kiwako, HARADA, Takuya, WAKOH, Mamoru
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japanese Society for Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology 1998; 特定非営利活動法人 日本歯科放射線学会
• Subjects: infraocclusion; molars; reimpaction; submerged teeth; 低位(乳)歯; 再埋伏; 沈下; 臼歯部
• ISSN: 0389-9705; 2185-6311
• DOI: 10.11242/dentalradiology1960.38.112

We present three cases of submerged teeth with previous restoration involving the left first molar in the mandible, the left and right second primary molars in the mandible. Additionally, etiological factors and terms including “submersion”, “reimpaction”, “secondary retention” and others referring to abnormally erupted teeth are discussed since the terminology does not seem to be consistent. The first case was a 27-years-old male. He came to Tokyo Dental College because his left lower first molar, which had been filled occlusally during his junior high school days, seemed to have disappeared. Radiographic and clinical examinations revealed that the tooth was completely covered by oral mucosa; it had been filled. The second case was a 16-years-old girl. She was referred to our college by an orthodontist because her left lower second primary molar, which had been filled occlusally, seemed to have partially disappeared. The third case was a 9-years-old boy whose lower second primary molar had previously undergone restoration. The main radiographic and clinical findings were similar as the second case. Teeth adjacent to the submerged tooth tended to tilt. There were no contributing hereditary factors found in any case.