Radiographic assessment of dental anomalies in patients with ectopic maxillary canines.
BACKGROUND
The aetiology of palatally and labially located ectopic maxillary canines is multifactorial. Accordingly, early prediction of this eruptional disturbance is in most cases not possible.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to analyse dental deviations in cases with either palatal or labial ectopic canines.


METHODS
Panoramic and intra-oral radiographs from 50 patients with palatally located (38 females and 12 males) and 19 patients with labially located ectopic canines (11 females and 8 males), aged 10 years, 2 months-18 years, 1 month, were analysed. Dental deviations registered were crown and root malformations, agenesis, and eruption deviations. Registrations were performed in the maxillary incisor field and in the dentition in general.


RESULTS
The study documented that palatally as well as labially located ectopic canines can occur in dentitions without other dental deviations. Dental deviations occurred in approximately two-thirds of all cases, more often in females and in cases with palatally located canines. More than half of the females with palatally located canines had deviations in the maxillary incisors and in the dentition in general.


CONCLUSIONS
Dental deviations may be considered a risk factor for maxillary canine ectopia. Early identification of patients at risk and appropriate interceptive treatment may reduce ectopic eruption of maxillary canines.
Sørensen
Helle Budtz
HB
Municipal Dental Service of Arhus, Arhus, Denmark.
Artmann
Lone
L
Larsen
Helle Juul
HJ
Kjaer
Inger
I
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003481:Cuspid / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003724:Dental Arch / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008437:Maxilla; D010159:Palate / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D012307:Risk Factors; D014071:Tooth Abnormalities / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014079:Tooth Eruption, Ectopic / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging