Resorption of entire impacted maxillary primary canine by permanent successor

Abstract A Japanese girl aged 4Y3M was referred for retarded eruption of the maxillary right primary canine. Radiographic examinations revealed the tooth to be impacted along with a tooth-like radiopaque lesion, which was extirpated under general anesthesia and histopathologically diagnosed as odontoma. At age 8Y3M, the position of the impacted primary canine was not changed, though the patient and guardians did not desire further treatment. Surprisingly, the crown as well as the root of the impacted primary canine appeared to be resorbed by its permanent successor after four years.