Prediction of maxillary canine impaction using sectors and angular measurement

An overview of the incidence and sequelae, as well as the surgical, periodontal, and orthodontic considerations in the management, of impacted canines is presented. The clinician needs to be familiar with the differences in the surgical management of the labially and palatally impacted canines, the best method of attachment to the canine for orthodontic force application, the advantages of one-arch versus two-arch treatment, and the implications of canine extraction. The various factors that influence all these decisions are discussed.

Palatal displacement of the maxillary canine tooth is a positional variation thought generally to develop as a result of local factors, such as retained deciduous canines, anomalous permanent lateral incisors, or dental crowding. This article contributes biologic evidence pointing to genetic factors as the primary origin of most palatal displacements and subsequent impactions of maxillary canine teeth. Data gathered from multiple sources are integrated to support a genetic etiology for the palatally displaced canine (PDC) on the basis of five evidential categories: 1. Occurrence of other dental anomalies concomitant with PDC; 2. Bilateral occurrence of PDC; 3. Sex differences in PDC occurrence; 4. Familial occurrence of PDC; 5. Population differences in PDC occurrence. From analysis of available evidence, the PDC positional anomaly appears to be a product of polygenic, multifactorial inheritance.