Association between ectopic eruption of maxillary canines and first molars

The purpose of this study was to elucidate a possible association between ectopic first molar eruption causing root resorption on the distal root of the primary maxillary second molar, and ectopic canine eruption causing root resorption on the permanent maxillary incisors. The subjects consisted of 30 patients, 22 females and eight males in the age range 8.3-15.0 years in whom root resorption of the permanent maxillary lateral and/or central incisor caused by the erupting permanent canine was diagnosed, and clinical and/or radiographic information concerning maxillary first molar eruption existed. It was found that of the 30 patients, seven (23.3 per cent) also had pathological root resorption of the second primary molar caused by ectopic molar eruption. It is suggested that patients with ectopic maxillary first molar eruption leading to pathological root resorption of the maxillary second primary molar are followed closely during the period of premolar and canine eruption, as the ectopic first molar could be an early warning of an increased risk of ectopic canine eruption leading to root resorption of the maxillary permanent incisors.