INBDE (Integrated National Board Dental Examination) Practice Exam

What should be done if there is lateral eruption of incisors due to early exfoliation of primary lateral?

1. Orthodontic intervention

2. Observe and wait

3. Extract contralateral primary lateral to avoid midline deviation

4. Apply a space maintainer

The correct answer is: Extract contralateral primary lateral to avoid midline deviation

When dealing with a situation where there is a lateral eruption of incisors due to the early exfoliation of a primary lateral incisor, the correct course of action would be to extract the contralateral primary lateral to avoid midline deviation. This approach helps in maintaining proper alignment and symmetry of the teeth as they develop. Option A, orthodontic intervention, might not be necessary at this stage since the issue can be addressed by a simpler method. Option B, observing and waiting, could lead to further misalignment and complications if not addressed promptly. Option D, applying a space maintainer, is typically used to maintain space in the dental arch after premature loss of a primary tooth but may not directly address the specific issue of lateral eruption due to early exfoliation of a primary lateral incisor. Therefore, the most appropriate action in this scenario would be to extract the contralateral primary lateral to prevent midline deviation and ensure proper alignment of the teeth.