Oral Surgery · single question
An 8-year-old hits his face and presents with 4 mm of intrusion of tooth #8. What is the correct treatment?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Wait for spontaneous re-eruption (monitor)
- A. Incorrect. Orthodontic extrusion is considered for intrusions >3 mm with closed apices or if the tooth fails to re-erupt spontaneously.
- B. Incorrect. Extraction is not appropriate for a permanent tooth with an open apex and potential for re-eruption.
- C. Correct. For an 8-year-old with INTRUSIVE LUXATION of a PERMANENT TOOTH: if the intrusion is ≤3 mm AND the tooth has an IMMATURE APEX (open), spontaneous re-eruption is awaited and monitored. At 4 mm in an 8-year-old (likely open apex), conservative monitoring is still the first approach, though some guidelines suggest orthodontic or surgical repositioning for >3 mm. The recalled answer of 'wait to re-erupt' reflects the conservative management approach for this age/severity.
- D. Incorrect. Splinting is used for avulsions, extrusive luxations, and lateral luxations — not typically for intrusive luxations, which require either monitoring or surgical repositioning.