When a tooth is Ankylosed, its root is fused directly to the jawbone, with no periodontal ligament around it. This means it cannot be moved like normal teeth. The term Ankylosed means an abnormal stiffening of a joint due to fusion of the bones — and in this case, it’s a fusion to the bone. Sometimes a tooth grows in this way (which is considered a rather rare condition), and sometimes the periodontal ligament has become damaged from some sort of trauma.
An Ankylosed Tooth looks like a regular tooth, but may appear higher or lower than the surrounding teeth. In orthodontic treatment, if an Ankylosed tooth is in a wrong position, it can interfere up the progress of all teeth around it. Many orthodontists believe that the best way to handle an Ankylosed Tooth is to leave alone or to surgically remove it. This article explores the subject at length.
Photos courtesy of www.speareducation.com.