Article: Volume 1 Number 1 Page 7 - January 2008

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  Orthodontic Update 2: 7-15

Orthodontics:  Managing the Maxillary Canine: 1. Diagnosis, Localization and Interceptive Treatment

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Abstract: Unerupted permanent maxillary canines include normally erupting canines, those that are ectopic and canines that are impacted. The identification of permanent maxillary canines that are developing ectopically in the mid-late mixed dentition ensures that corrective treatment, usually involving extraction of the deciduous canines, is instituted promptly. The first part of this article discusses the normal eruption pathway, methods of localizing the permanent maxillary canine, when to suspect ectopy, monitoring developmentally normal canines and how to normalize the aberrant eruption pathway by extracting the deciduous canines and/or creating space in the buccal segments.

Clinical relevance: The identification of ectopic and impacted permanent maxillary canine teeth allows appropriate treatment to be instituted. In many cases of ectopic permanent maxillary canines, interceptive treatment can prevent later impaction.

Author notes: Grant T McIntyre, BDS, FDS RCPS(Glasg), MOrth RCS(Edin), PhD, FDS(Orth) RCPS(Glasg), Consultant Orthodontist, Dundee Dental Hospital and School, 2 Park Place, Dundee, DD1 4HR.

Objective: To identify ectopic and impacted permanent maxillary canine teeth.