Novel Treatment for Dental Ankylosis

Eligibility Criteria

• * Full informed consent and/or informed assent (minors)
• * Be willing and able to comply with all study requirements
• * Male or female
• * Aged 6-30
• * Clinically diagnosed to have either an ankylosed deciduous tooth or a non-third molar mildly- to moderately- ankylosed permanent tooth, and with crown partially visible in the oral cavity. Clinical diagnosis of ankylosis includes the following factors: dental trauma history, infra-eruption with no apparent mechanical obstruction or other cause, contralateral tooth in occlusal contact for over one year, decreased alveolar bone height, no or reduced tooth mobility, and x-ray or cone-beam computer tomography (CBCT) imaging indications of an obliterated PDL space. Ultimately, the diagnosis will be confirmed by lack of tooth movement discovered during orthodontic treatment or when subjected to a heavy force through our study (Phelan M K, et al. 1990).
• * English speaking (primary language or fluent)
• * Severe and extensive ankylosis of permanent teeth as diagnosed through CBCT
• * Primary failure of eruption with previous orthodontic treatment
• * Any systemic disorders particularly those affecting bleeding or skeletal health
• * Any systemic medications
• * Any mental or developmental disorders that affect patient understanding or compliance
• * Allergic to our local anesthetic drug
• * Can pass an infectious disease to someone else right now (e.g., having a flu)
• * Is pregnant
• * Has a history of smoking
• * Have not reached the age of 6 or older than age of 30
• * Not cooperative enough during dental examinations
• * The dentist finds out that he/she is not able to keep the mini-implant, the brackets and the wires in place around the tooth that is being treated
• * Not fluent in English