Management of Bilaterally Impacted Labial and Palatal Maxillary Canines With One-Year Follow-Up: A Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: Management of impacted maxillary canines is considered to be complex and challenging task by orthodontists due to the varied biomechanical considerations involved. Objective: This article describes an effective and efficient treatment modality for de-impaction of bilaterally impacted labial and palatal canines. Case Report: A female patient aged 13 years and 5 months presented with the following complaints: absence of tooth numbers 13 and 23, crowding in the upper and lower anterior dental units, and over-retained tooth numbers 53 and 63 with a non-consonant smile arc. Results: Arch development was done to create space for tooth numbers 13 and 23, as well as to relieve crowding. The impacted canines were surgically exposed, and guided traction was employed to place them in their ideal position. A class I canine and premolar relation was established. The smile aesthetics were also improved. The result remained stable 12 months after the end of treatment. The improvement can be quantified by the reduction in scores of orthodontic indices measured pretreatment and posttreatment. Conclusion: Modifications in continuous arch mechanics can be reliably used in the management of impacted canines and arch development.