Assessment of etiological factors on unilateral impaction of maxillary canines using cone beam computed tomography

Aim: The goal of this study was to assess the etiological factors of maxillary canines with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Materials and Methods: CBCT images of 52 patients (19 male and 33 female) with unilateral impacted maxillary canines were selected. CBCT images were created and measurements were carried out using Dolphin Imaging & Management Solutions software program. Variables about impacted canine, linear and angular measurements were performed and compared between impacted and non-impacted canine side. Results: There was an association between the anterior maxillary crowding and buccally positioned impacted canined whereas there was no correlation between the anterior crowding and palatally impacted canine. Statistically significant differences were found between the measurements on impacted and nonimpacted canine sides. Canine cusp tip to the midline and maxillary plane was shorter whereas canine cusp tip to the maxillary occlusal plane was longer compared to the nonimpacted side (p˂0.001). Volume of the root of the maxillary canine was smaller on the nonimpacted side compared to the impacted side (p˂0.035). Angle between the maxillary canine and midline, lateral incisor, central incisor and first prmolar was wider on the impacted side compared to the nonimpacted side (p˂0.001). There were also significant differences when comparing the volume of the lateral incisor, mesiodistal and buccolingual widths of the lateral incisor crown, root and total lengths of the lateral incisors (p<0.05). Based on these results, canine cusp tip to the midline, maxillary plane and maxillary occlusal plane, canine angle to the midline, lateral incisor, central incisor and first premolar, volume of the canine root and dimensions of the lateral incisor would be considered as variables effective on impaction of maxillary canines. Conclusion: In this study early predictors of impacted canines were identified. In this way, the impaction of maxillary canines can be diagnosed in early stages also with 2D radiographs like panoramic images and the optimal timing of intervention can be identified.