Decoronation: how, why, and when?

Decoronation is a surgical method for treating ankylosed incisors in children and adolescents. The crown and root filling are removed, leaving the root in situ to be resorbed and covered with a mucoperiosteal flap. Early loss of a permanent tooth leads to loss of alveolar bone, especially in buccopalatal width. Decoronation preserves not only the width of the ridge but also the vertical height.