Root agenesis in developing canines as a complication of intranasal antrostomy.

A case is reported in which the roots of both maxillary canines failed to develop, a defect that could be traced to antral surgery when the patient was 8 years of age. The differential diagnosis of such a finding is proffered. The maxillary antrum is described, and aspects of the surgical procedure, the nasal antrostomy, used in this patient are discussed. A brief outline of current thought on the mechanisms of eruption of teeth is appropriate, and treatment of the symptomatic tooth is mentioned.