[Damage to the remaining teeth from displaced upper canines]

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Radiology

Background:

• Retained upper canines are a common clinical finding.
• Their potential to cause damage to adjacent teeth is not fully understood.
• High-resolution computed tomography (CT) offers detailed imaging for assessing dental anomalies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the prevalence and extent of damage to adjacent teeth caused by retained upper canines.
• To assess the relationship between canine proximity and tooth resorption using high-resolution CT.

Main Methods:

• High-resolution CT scans were performed on 25 patients with 35 retained upper canines.
• The presence and extent of resorption in adjacent teeth (incisors, premolars) were assessed.
• Direct contact between the retained canine crown and adjacent teeth was identified and measured.

Main Results:

• Only 5 out of 25 patients showed no evidence of damage to adjacent teeth.
• Resorption was observed in 8 patients, primarily affecting medial and lateral incisors.
• 19 retained canines were in direct contact with adjacent teeth, indicating a high risk of damage.
• The average extent of resorption was 4.5 mm.
• CT demonstrated tooth contact effectively through consecutive cuts.

Conclusions:

• Retained upper canines pose a significant risk of resorption to adjacent teeth.
• Direct contact is a key factor in canine-induced dental damage.
• High-resolution CT is a valuable tool for diagnosing and quantifying this type of dental pathology.