Incisor inclination--risk factor for palatally-impacted canines.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the torque of upper incisors and the maxillary size in sagittal direction in patients with impacted canines.


METHODS
Panoramic radiographs, cephalograms and pretreatment study models were evaluated in 199 patients (12.7 +/- 3.6 years) with impacted canines. The prevalence of malocclusions, inclination of the canine to the occlusal plane, incisors' inclination and maxillary size were determined.


RESULTS
45% of the patients showed symptoms of Class II, Division 2 malocclusion: at 18.5 degrees, the inclination of upper incisors (angle U1/NA) was lower and at 81.3 degrees the SNA angle higher than in patients with neutral conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
There is no guidance for the erupting canine through the labial root torque of the upper incisors like in patients with missing lateral incisors. Patients with symptoms of Class II, Division 2 malocclusion should be regarded as a risk group for canine impaction.
Lüdicke
Gabriele
G
Department of Orthodontics, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, Germany.
Harzer
Winfried
W
Tausche
Eve
E
D000293:Adolescent; D002508:Cephalometry; D002648:Child; D003481:Cuspid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008312:Malocclusion, Angle Class II / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D012307:Risk Factors; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D019415:Torque