The sequential hypothesis of impaction of maxillary canine - a hypothesis based on clinical and radiographic findings

The aetiology of impacted maxillary canines remains obscure. Numerous researchers have focused on identifying specific and non-specific aetiological factors responsible for canine displacement. Currently, the two most popular hypotheses that have gained consensus worldwide are the guidance theory and the genetic theory. However, no single hypotheses, can completely explain the aetiology of impaction of maxillary canines. This retrospective study was used to develop and postulate the aetiology of both buccally and palatally impacted maxillary canines. The study was conducted on a sample of 533 patients for whom the pattern and distribution of the impacted maxillary canines, sex differences, the dental age of the patients, dental anomalies and various geometric measurements which were made on the panoramic radiographs were recorded. Based on these findings, the sequential hypothesis of impaction of the maxillary canine was postulated. The hypothesis states that both buccally and palatally impacted canines have similar aetiological factors leading to their impaction. It is suggested that genetic mechanisms strongly influence the potential of the maxillary canine to be impacted and the guidance from the lateral incisor and the stage of development plays a vital role in determining the ultimate position of the impacted canine.