Management of maxillary impacted canines: A prospective study of orthodontists' preferences

Comprehensive Management of an Impacted Maxillary Central Incisor: A Case Report

The impaction of a maxillary central incisor in young patients is rare but can significantly affect aesthetics, speech, and self-esteem. This case report details the diagnosis and treatment of an 11-year-old male patient with an impacted maxillary right central incisor, along with the presence of an impacted supernumerary tooth (mesiodens). The case was managed through a combination of surgical exposure of the impacted tooth and orthodontic traction to guide the impacted tooth into its correct position. Advances in diagnostic imaging and minimally invasive surgical techniques facilitated the successful resolution of the case. Early intervention in such cases is essential for preventing long-term functional and aesthetic complications.

Impacted maxillary canine: Assessment of prevalence, severity and location of root resorption on maxillary incisors: A retrospective CBCT study

BACKGROUND

The maxillary permanent canine is one of the most frequently impacted teeth, which often requires multidisciplinary management. A common complication of canine impaction is root resorption of the adjacent dentition. The aim of this retrospective study was to report the prevalence of root resorption of maxillary incisors adjacent to impacted maxillary canines from small volume CBCT images by trained clinicians. A secondary objective was to report the location and severity of root resorption.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

CBCT images of patients with impacted maxillary canines (unilateral and bilateral) who attended a joint orthodontic/surgical multidisciplinary clinic were screened. Descriptive statistics were used to investigate associations of patient characteristics and presence of root resorption. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) logistic regression model were used to identify predictors of root resorption.

RESULTS

In all, 148 impacted maxillary canines (122 patients) were analysed. The majority of patients were under 18 years of age (71.6%) with impacted canines present in more females (68.2%) than males (31.8%). Maxillary lateral incisors showed the highest prevalence of root resorption (38.5%). The apical region was the most common location of resorption for lateral incisors (20.9%) with a variable degree of severity evident: slight (10.1%), moderate (15.6%), and severe (12.8%). Although no significant predictors of root resorption were identified, a weak association was evident for age and root development.

CONCLUSIONS

In this cohort of patients, the roots of maxillary lateral incisors are most likely to suffer from root resorption in the presence of an impacted maxillary canine. Clinicians should consider the extent, location and severity of resorption of adjacent teeth when planning treatment decisions and mechanics in cases of impacted maxillary canines.

A comprehensive classification for impacted cuspids and bicuspids with a proposal for Difficulty Index Categorization: a single center evaluation of 4165 cases

BACKGROUND

The aim of the current study was to propose a classification of impacted cuspids, and bicuspids based on their spatial position in the maxillary and mandibular arches and their radiological appearance.

METHODS

This prospective study was conducted including all the patients who reported to our center for extractions, orthodontic treatment, missing permanent cuspids/bicuspids, removal of third molar teeth. All patients who reported within a time frame of 6 months were enrolled in the study. Orthopantomogram was advised for all the patients as a part of diagnostic work up. The panoramic radiographs and clinical data were reviewed and patients with evidence of impacted bicuspids and cuspids were included in the study and were advised to undergo a cone beam computed tomography to evaluate the 3-dimensional position of the impacted teeth. Treatment plan was decided based on the position of the impacted teeth and feasibility for orthodontic movement. Standard surgical protocol was followed for all the patients. The duration of the procedure from the time of incision till the suturing were tabulated and the difficulty of extraction was correlated with the current Difficulty Index to validate the same.

RESULTS

A total number of 4165 patients were enrolled in the study and based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 3680 patients were excluded and 487 patients with impacted cuspids/bicuspids were included in the study. A total number of 231 patients had impacted maxillary cuspids and bicuspids and 256 cases had impacted mandibular cuspids/bicuspids. Amongst the 256 mandibular cuspid and bicuspid that were impacted, 62% were in position C while the rest of 38% were in position B. More than ⅓ of the teeth which were in position C had transmigrated (35%). Seventy-three percent of the maxillary teeth were in position C and 69% of these teeth were either transmigrated (29%), or were horizontally (38%) placed in the alveolus or inverted (2%). The rest of the 31% were found to be either mesially inclined or vertical. The average Difficulty Index for maxillary teeth was 8 and mandibular teeth was 9. Mandibular cuspids and bicuspids in position B and C took longer time for surgical removal compared to the maxillary teeth and this was statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

The proposed clinical classification on impacted mandibular cuspids and bicuspids provides a structured approach to plan the treatment based on the 3-dimensional position of the teeth in the arch.

Appropriate timing of treatment contributes to better root development of impacted anterior teeth in children

INTRODUCTION

This study investigated the effects of different timings of orthodontic treatment on the root development of impacted anterior teeth in children.

METHODS

The cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) data of 45 children with impacted anterior teeth were divided into unformed root (UR) group or basically formed root (BFR) group to evaluate root length (RL) and root growth length (RGL) of impacted teeth and contralateral nonimpacted teeth pretreatment and posttreatment. In addition, 22 patients with impacted dilaceration were selected to assess the effects of the crown-root angle and root development stage on RL and RGL. The Student t test, Wilcoxon test, analysis of variance, and multiple linear regression analysis were used for statistical evaluations.

RESULTS

The RL of treated impacted teeth pretreatment and posttreatment was significantly shorter than contralateral nonimpacted teeth values (P <0.05). Posttreatment, the RL and RGL of impacted teeth of the UR group were significantly greater than those of the BFR group (P <0.05). The RGL of the dilacerated root in the UR group was considerably higher than in the BFR group (P <0.05). The larger crown-root angle group had a longer posttreatment RL (P <0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the Nolla stage of impacted teeth and RL of contralateral teeth pretreatment significantly influenced the RL of impacted teeth posttreatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Prompt orthodontic treatment is necessary for children with impacted anterior teeth to release the impacted state and achieve better root development. The root length of a dilacerated tooth continued to develop under treatment, but the crown-root angle partly constrained it.