Transmigrated teeth / Transmigração dentária

ABSTRACT

Pre-eruptive migration of a tooth across the midline is called transmigration. This article reviews the literature on tooth transmigration. In the literature there is no consensus on the definition of true cases of transmigration and impacted teeth. Transmigration is a rare phenomenon that typically affects the mandibular canines. There is no known etiology for its occurrence, however, there are many and varied etiological factors involved in transmigrated teeth, such as ectopic growth of the tooth bud, retention or premature loss of a primary tooth, inadequate eruption space and excessive length of crown. Genetic factors, endocrine disorders and trauma have also been also proposed as etiological factors. In most clinical reports, transmigrated teeth were found in a horizontal position, below the apices of the erupted teeth and in the majority of cases, such a migrated tooth remains impacted; however, it may sometimes erupt later in its new position. When it is diagnosed in radiographic exams, careful evaluation is necessary in order to establish the most adequate treatment. Extraction of the transmigrated tooth appeared to be the only choice of treatment.