Initial vertical and horizontal position of palatally impacted maxillary canine and effect on periodontal status following surgical-orthodontic treatment.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of surgical-orthodontic treatment and the initial vertical and mesiodistal position of palatally impacted maxillary canines on the periodontal health of impacted canines and adjacent teeth.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The study group consisted of 32 patients with unilateral palatally impacted maxillary canines. The initial position of the impacted canines was assessed on panoramic images. The treatment protocol of the impacted canines included surgical exposure with the closed-eruption technique and fixed orthodontic appliances.

RESULTS

A significant increase in pocket depth was found at the canine mesiopalatal point after surgical-orthodontic treatment. Also, a correlation was found between the initial mesiodistal and vertical position of the impacted canine and the posttreatment periodontal status of the impacted canine, the adjacent lateral incisor, and the first premolar.

CONCLUSIONS

A combined surgical-orthodontic approach in the treatment of impacted maxillary canines produces clinically acceptable periodontal conditions. The average increase in pocket depth was less than 4 mm and clinically unimportant for most patients.