DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES TO THE MANAGEMENT OF IMPACTED TEETH: AN INTEGRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Dental impaction is a clinical condition that may remain asymptomatic or be associated with changes in adjacent teeth and tissues, requiring individualized diagnosis and planning. The objective of this study was to analyze the main diagnostic and therapeutic approaches used in the management of impacted teeth. An integrative literature review was conducted, with searches and verification of the study corpus in PubMed/MEDLINE and SciELO, complemented by tracking through Google Scholar and journal platforms, considering publications from 2021 to 2026, in Portuguese or English, with full texts available. After applying the eligibility criteria, 18 studies were included in the review. The results showed that panoramic radiography remains relevant for initial assessment and classifications of position and depth, whereas cone-beam computed tomography is most useful when three-dimensional information may change risk assessment or treatment planning. For canines, surgical exposure and orthodontic traction were prominent. For third molars, follow-up, extraction, and coronectomy were associated with anatomical risk and related complications. It was concluded that management should be individualized, considering the tooth group, anatomical relationships, the possibility of functional preservation, and the balance between risks and benefits of each approach.