Localization of impacted maxillary canines and root resorption of neighbouring latral incisor using cone beam computed tomography

Canine impaction is one of the most prevalent impactions and it affects aesthetic and function of the oral cavity. Recent advances in 3D imaging has provided new facilities for precise localization of the impacted teeth and their effect on adjacent roots. The aim of this study was to assess the location of impacted canine and adjacent root resorption by CBCT in an Iranian adolescent population. In this retrospective, descriptive-analytic study, CBCT images of 25 orthodontic patients (seven had bilateral canine impaction) and the bucco-lingual and vertical position of teeth and tooth location to the adjacent teeth were evaluated using CBCT. A total of 32 impacted canines were examined (24 females,8 males). Of these, 11 (34.4%) were located buccally, 11 (34.4%) mid-alveolar and 10 (31.1%) palatally in vertical position, 7 of the impacted canines (21.9%) were coronal and 16 (50%) in the cervical 2/3 and 8 teeth (25%) were positioned in cervical one third and one of them (3.1%) was positioned apically. Among 32 studied teeth, 6 (%8.8) of them did not cause incisor degeneration and 8 (%25) teeth cause mild degeneration and none of them caused intense incisor resorption. The average size of follicle was 3.6mm. According to the results, CBCT is a good tool for evaluation of impacted canine location and its effect on adjacent roots. Another important finding was the high prevalence of root resorption (90%), which implies immediate treatment of impacted canines.