Clinical pearls for the management of maxillary impacted canines: Lessons learned from 14 patients

Abstract

Despite its low prevalence, maxillary permanent canine impaction can complicate and prolong orthodontic treatment. It can also represent a root resorption risk for adjacent teeth. It is a multifactorial alteration of the dental eruption, and its causes are divided into general and local. Palatal and buccal maxillary canine impactions have different origins. Early measures can avoid their impact on some patients. Including deciduous canine extraction and space opening when possible. When early intervention does not provide a resolution, these patients require an interdisciplinary approach. In these situations, the orthodontist must work as a team with the periodontist or oral surgeon to uncover the impacted canine and bring it to the dental arch. This 14-case series will present different scenarios—ranging from early intervention to the surgical-orthodontic management of palatally and buccally-impacted maxillary permanent canines.