Forced eruption: principles in periodontics and restorative dentistry.

Forced orthodontic eruption is based on an understanding of the normal dental unit. The relationships between tooth, attachment apparatus, gingival unit, and force and stress demand consideration when forced eruption is used to treat carious or traumatic destruction of clinical crowns, lateral root perforations, or isolated vertical periodontal defects. Factors that must be judged acceptable prior to the initiation of therapy are (1) esthetics, (2) clinical root length, (3) root proximity, (4) root morphology, (5) furcation location, (6) individual tooth position, (7) collective tooth position, and (8) the ability to restore teeth. A correct diagnosis is essential and must precede the choice of forced eruption as a clinical solution. Correctly chosen, force eruption allows the tooth to assist in the support of a multiunit restoration or maintain its individual integrity while contributing to esthetics, speech, and function.