Published online Sep 16, 2016. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v4.i9.285
Peer-review started: April 28, 2016
First decision: May 17, 2016
Revised: June 4, 2016
Accepted: July 11, 2016
Article in press: July 13, 2016
Published online: September 16, 2016
Processing time: 133 Days and 9 Hours
The use of elastics to close a diastema or correct tooth malpositions can create unintended consequences if not properly controlled. The American Association of Orthodontists recently issued a consumer alert, warning of “a substantial risk for irreparable damage” from a new trend called “do-it-yourself” orthodontics, consisting of patients autonomously using elastics to correct tooth position. The elastics can work their way below the gums and around the roots of the teeth, causing damage to the periodontium and even resulting in tooth loss. The cost of implants to replace these teeth would well exceed the cost of proper orthodontic care. This damage could also occur in a dental office, when a general dentist tries to perform a simplified orthodontic correction of a minor tooth malposition. The present case report describes a case of tooth loss caused by a displaced intraoral elastic, which occurred during a simple preprosthetic orthodontic treatment.
Core tip: This article describes the harmful effects caused by the subgingival displacement of an intraoral elastic during a simple preprosthetic orthodontic treatment. The paper highlights the importance of being referred to an orthodontist to correct malocclusions, warning general dentists against undertaking complex orthodontic treatments without having the necessary orthodontic skills. This work also describes a phenomenon called, “do-it-yourself orthodontics”, which is gaining in popularity amongst adolescents thanks to the tutorials available on various websites such as YouTube, and strongly warns against this practice because it may cause irreparable periodontal damage and tooth loss.