Malocclusion is a developmental condition and
multifactorial. The specific causes of Malocclusion are a)
Disturbances in Embryonic Development b) Growth
Disturbances in the Fetal and Prenatal Period c) Progressive
deformities in Childhood d) Disturbances arising in
Adolescence or Early Adult life e) Disturbances of Dental
Development.1
Eruption of teeth is a very complex process as it
happens after the passing over of five stages. The stages are
a) pre eruptive movements, intra-osseous stage, and mucosal
penetration, pre-occlusal and post occlusal stages. Any
disturbances in any of these stages lead to different forms of
abnormality in occlusion.1
Eruption is defined as a developmental process
responsible for moving a tooth from its crypt position
through the alveolar process into the oral cavity to its final
position of occlusion with its antagonist. It is a dynamic
process that encompasses completion of root development,
establishment of the periodontium, and maintenance of a
functional occlusion.
2
Ectopic eruption is one of the examples of disturbances
of Dental Development; may happen due to the malposition
of permanent tooth bud. Even though ectopic eruption
happens in any tooth3
, it seen most in the case of eruption of
maxillary first molars.4 Other than disturbances of dental
development, the other reasons for Ectopic eruption are a)
lack of space for normal tooth eruption, b) transposition of
teeth,21,22 c) Early loss of primary tooth. Ectopic eruption
due to any of the above mentioned reasons will lead to space
problems which in turn lead to deficient arch length. Early
loss of one or both primary canines indicates the ectopic
eruption of lateral incisors. This lead to a complex clinical
situation like midline shift; and treatment for the correction
of the same requires more complex Orthodontic treatment
methods. Ectopic eruption is manageable with early
intervention treatment thereby prevent the loss of 6-8mm.5
The purpose of this prospective study was to determine
the prevalence of ectopic teeth in people from age 8 to 25
years. Early diagnosis of eruption disturbances is important
in order to start treatment at the optimal time and to
minimize complications