Novel Treatment for Dental Ankylosis

Inclusion 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-thirdmolar mildly- to moderately- ankylosed permanent tooth, and with crown partiallyvisible in the oral cavity. Clinical diagnosis of ankylosis includes the followingfactors: dental trauma history, infra-eruption with no apparent mechanicalobstruction or other cause, contralateral tooth in occlusal contact for over oneyear, decreased alveolar bone height, no or reduced tooth mobility, and x-ray orcone-beam computer tomography (CBCT) imaging indications of an obliterated PDLspace. Ultimately, the diagnosis will be confirmed by lack of tooth movementdiscovered during orthodontic treatment or when subjected to a heavy force throughour study (Phelan M K, et al. 1990).

• English speaking (primary language or fluent)

Exclusion Criteria:

• 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 orcompliance

• 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 bracketsand the wires in place around the tooth that is being treated

• Not fluent in English