RETENTION OF A MAXILLARY PRIMARY CANINE - 50 YEARS ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY

A case is reported of a retained maxillary primary canine that functio ned effectively over fifty years. At the time of exfoliation the tooth was still of normal kylosis and root resorption, but because of perio dontal disease. Excellent histological preservation of the specimen at the time of exfoliation, together with a very complete clinical histo ry, permitted the development of a detailed description of a tooth and its dying pulp while under function over a long period of time.