# Fenestration after orthodontic traction of an impacted dilacerated maxillary central incisor: a case report and 4-year follow-up

**Authors:** Shuhao Xu, Xiaolong Li, Yu Zhang, Wei Li

PMC · DOI: 10.3389/fdmed.2026.1764953 · Frontiers in Dental Medicine · 2026-02-04

## TL;DR

A case report shows that orthodontic traction can successfully treat an impacted, twisted maxillary incisor with a favorable long-term outcome.

## Contribution

Demonstrates favorable long-term outcomes of orthodontic traction for dilacerated maxillary incisors despite fenestration.

## Key findings

- Fenestration occurred after orthodontic traction of a dilacerated maxillary central incisor.
- After four years, the tooth showed normal pulp vitality and no abnormal mobility.
- The case suggests favorable long-term outcomes for traction treatment in similar cases.

## Abstract

Dilacerated impacted maxillary central incisors require early detection, early diagnosis, and early treatment. Early orthodontic traction can allow the root, which is confined by the buccal or palatal cortical bone, to rotate along with the crown and enter the cancellous bone, thereby gaining an opportunity for continued development. We reported a case of an 11-year-old boy with an impacted dilacerated maxillary central incisor. Following surgical exposure combined with orthodontic traction, fenestration occurred. However, after four years of follow-up, the affected tooth exhibited normal pulp vitality and no abnormal mobility. This case might offer an indication that even for dilacerated maxillary central incisors with short roots, or those that develop fenestration after traction, the long-term outcomes of traction treatment could be quite favorable.

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** alveolar defects (MESH:D002282), odontomas (MESH:D009810), dental morphological development abnormality (MESH:D002658), dilacerated tooth (MESH:D014076), ankylosis (MESH:D000844), drug allergies (MESH:D004342), dental misalignment (MESH:D017760), root resorption (MESH:D012391), periapical infection (MESH:D010483), resorption (MESH:D014091), gingival abscess (MESH:D005891), attachment (MESH:D019962), cleft lip and palate (MESH:D002971), pulp necrosis (MESH:D003790), gingival recession (MESH:D005889), dehiscence (MESH:D013529), unerupted (MESH:D014097), apical periodontitis (MESH:D010485), tooth loss (MESH:D016388), caries (MESH:D003731), trauma (MESH:D014947)
- **Chemicals:** Hawley (-)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

8 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12913564/full.md

## References

32 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12913564/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12913564