Impacted maxillary central incisor in mixed dentition treatment.

The impacted maxillary central incisor in a child poses a disturbing esthetic dilemma to parents, by virtue of its location. Neither the orthodontist nor the parents prefer to wait for the fully erupted permanent dentition and comprehensive orthodontics to resolve this problem. This challenge can be met in the early mixed dentition stage, as described with these two cases. The response to the technique was excellent. The patients now possess confidence to smile and have enhanced self-esteem, which is critical even in early life. Just as important is that the newly positioned maxillary central incisor is the natural tooth, not a temporary prosthesis that can loosen or break. Gingival contour is a consideration, however.