Outcomes of the surgical exposure, bonding and eruption of 82 impacted maxillary canines.
BACKGROUND
Advances in bonding techniques and materials allow for reliable bracket placement on ectopically positioned teeth. This prospective study evaluates the outcome of forced orthodontic eruption of impacted canine teeth in both palatal and labial positions.


METHODS
Eighty-two impacted maxillary canines in 54 patients were included in the study and were observed for 18 to 30 months after exposure. Following exposure by means of a palatal flap or an apically repositioned buccal flap, an orthodontic traction hook, with a ligation chain attached, was bonded to each impacted tooth using a light cured orthodontic resin cement. A periodontal dressing was placed over the surgical site for a period of time.


RESULTS
All teeth were successfully erupted. Complications consisted of: failure of initial bond, at the time of surgery, which required rebonding; premature debonding at the time of pack removal and; debonding of brackets during orthodontic eruption. There was no infection, eruption failure, ankylosis, resorption or periodontal defect (pocket greater than 3 mm) associated with any of the exposed teeth. Attached gingiva of less than 3 mm was seen in only two of the buccally positioned canines (9%).


CONCLUSIONS
Forced orthodontic eruption of impacted maxillary canines with a well bonded orthodontic traction hook and ligation chain, used in conjunction with a palatal flap or an apically repositioned labial flap, results in predictable orthodontic eruption with few complications.
Caminiti
M F
MF
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Toronto.
Sandor
G K
GK
Giambattistini
C
C
Tompson
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003481:Cuspid / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001840:Dental Bonding / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016382:Orthodontic Appliance Design; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances; D010511:Periodontal Dressings; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000517:prevention & control; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019279:Resin Cements; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D020254:Tooth Ankylosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D014079:Tooth Eruption, Ectopic / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D014087:Tooth Movement Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D014091:Tooth Resorption / Q000517:prevention & control; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D019279:Resin Cements