Ectopic Tooth Eruption – Integrative Literature Review

Abstract

Ectopic eruption designates teeth that deviate from their normal eruption pattern. Its multifactorial etiology includes local and systemic factors, somatic disorders, and genetics. The objective of this study is to know the most common teeth that can present ectopic eruption, their prevalence, and associated clinical factors. A bibliographic search of scientific articles indexed in the PUBMED® and VHL databases was performed in September 2023, with the following descriptors: "Tooth Eruption; Ectopic; Dentistry". A total of 42 articles published in the last 5 years were found. Of these, 16 addressed ectopic eruptions and were included. The reviewed literature highlights the following clinical aspects: delayed eruption, partial appearance of the crown, changes in the eruption axis, transpositions, and gyro versions. The most affected teeth are the first permanent molars, with approximately 2 to 6%, and the canines with approximately 1.5 to 4.6%. It is essential to diagnose ectopic eruption early and identify the etiological factors, to obtain early treatment, preventing the development of this pathology and, consequently, the appearance of malocclusion.