Clinical management of impacted maxillary canines

Abstract

Ectopic eruption and impaction of canines is a frequently encountered clinical problem. The incidence of impaction ranges between 1% and 3%. The cause of canine impaction can be the result of localized factor(s) or can be a polygenic multifactorial inheritance and associated with other dental anomalies. There are a number of possible sequelae to canine impactions, ranging from loss of space in the arch to resorption of the roots of the neighboring teeth. Although the management of the ectopically erupting teeth necessitates the combined expertise of a number of clinicians, the orthodontist should have the primary responsibility of coordinating these efforts to provide the patient with the optimal treatment options with the most stable and favorable outcome.