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Published on: October 20, 2023
Maxillary expansion as an interceptive treatment for impacted canines
1Kettering General Hospital, Rothwell Road, Kettering, Northamptonshire, UK.
Evidence-Based Dentistry
|October 13, 2010
Summary
Rapid maxillary expansion (RME) significantly improved the eruption rate of palatally displaced canines (PDC) in children compared to no treatment. This early intervention offers a promising orthodontic solution for canine impaction.
Area of Science:
- Orthodontics and Dental Development
- Craniofacial Growth Modification
- Pediatric Dentistry
Background:
- Palatally displaced canines (PDC) are a common developmental anomaly.
- Early intervention in the mixed dentition is crucial for optimal orthodontic outcomes.
- Untreated PDC can lead to complications such as resorption of adjacent teeth.
Discussion:
- Rapid maxillary expansion (RME) effectively created space in the dental arch, facilitating canine eruption.
- The study design utilized a randomized controlled trial for robust evidence.
- The 6-month retention period with a palatal expander and subsequent nightguard use ensured stability.
Key Insights:
- RME treatment resulted in a 65.7% successful eruption rate of maxillary canines, compared to only 13.6% in the untreated control group.
- The difference in eruption rates between the RME and control groups was statistically significant (P < 0.001).
- Early mixed dentition is an opportune time for RME to address palatally displaced canines.
Outlook:
- Further research could explore long-term stability and patient-reported outcomes.
- Investigating the optimal timing for RME initiation for PDC is warranted.
- RME may be considered as a standard treatment option for palatally displaced canines.