References

Thilander B, Myrberg N The prevalence of malocclusion in Swedish schoolchildren. Scand J Dent Res. 1973; 81:12-21 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0722.1973.tb01489.x
Ericson S, Kurol J Radiographic examination of ectopically erupting maxillary canines. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 1987; 91:483-492 https://doi.org/10.1016/0889-5406(87)90005-9
Fleming PS, Scott P, Heidari N, DiBiase AT Influence of radiographic position of ectopic canines on the duration of orthodontic treatment. Angle Orthod. 2009; 79:442-446 https://doi.org/10.2319/042708-238.1
Fleming PS, Sharma PK, DiBiase AT How to…mechanically erupt a palatal canine. J Orthod. 2010; 37:262-271 https://doi.org/10.1179/14653121043200
Khoshkhouejad G, Ulhaq A, Bister D The ‘slingshot’ technique to align palatally impacted canines with elastomeric chain. J Orthod. 2015; 42:153-158 https://doi.org/10.1179/1465313314Y.0000000125.

A technique to apply elastomeric traction to impacted canines

From Volume 17, Issue 4, October 2024 | Pages 172-173

Authors

Rana Fard

Specialty Registrar in Orthodontics, UCLH Eastman Dental Hospital, London.

Articles by Rana Fard

Email Rana Fard

Robert Samuel David Smyth

Clinical Lecturer/Honorary Consultant in Orthodontics, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, London.

Articles by Robert Samuel David Smyth

Article

Impacted teeth are a common clinical scenario in orthodontics. Applying orthodontic traction to these teeth to aid mechanical eruption can be clinically complex and time consuming. This trick highlights an effective way to apply traction to an impacted canine using an elastomeric powerchain and a long stainless-steel ligature while reducing chairside time.

Commonly, impacted teeth are maxillary permanent canines, except for the third molars, with an incidence of 1.7% reported in the literature.1 These teeth often lie palatally,2 and mechanical eruption can be challenging, often prolonging the overall treatment duration.3

There are various clinical techniques and mechanics used to facilitate the successful and safe eruption of impacted palatal canines, such as transpalatal arches with auxiliary, piggyback NiTi wire, temporary anchorage devices, stainless-steel archwire auxiliaries (for example, ballista springs) and lastly, elastomeric traction to fixed appliances using either elastomeric powerchain or thread. It is important to use a range of techniques to manage impacted canines to achieve the best possible outcome efficiently.4,5

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