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Updated: May 22, 2026
Measuring Maxillary Posterior Tooth Movement: A Model Assessment using Palatal and Dental Superimposition
Published on: February 23, 2024
The prevalence of root resorption of maxillary incisors caused by impacted maxillary canines
Georg D Strbac1, Andrea Foltin, André Gahleitner
1Department of Oral Surgery, Bernhard Gottlieb University Clinic of Dentistry, Medical University of Vienna, Sensengasse 2a, 1090 Vienna, Austria. georg.strbac@meduniwien.ac.at
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of root resorption of maxillary incisors caused by impacted maxillary canines using low-dose dental computed tomography and to gain additional knowledge of the underlying aetiology and the progression of root resorption.
Materials And Methods:
A total of 440 patients (mean age, 24.7 years) with 557 impacted maxillary canines were examined regarding their location and the occurrence of root resorption of maxillary incisors.
Results:
The frequency of root resorption was 2 % of central and 7.7 % of lateral maxillary incisors. The location of the 557 impacted canines within the dental arch was palatal in 67.5 %, buccal in 15.4 % and central in 17.1 %. No significant differences could be shown with respect to the width and the shape of the dental follicle of the impacted maxillary canines and the presence of root resorption of incisors. The presence of root resorption of central (p < 0.0001) and lateral (p < 0.023) maxillary incisors was significantly correlated with an existing contact relationship of the impacted maxillary canines.
Conclusions:
Our investigation confirms the theory of prior reports comprising a much larger patient population, hypothesising that the dental follicle of impacted maxillary canines does not cause resorption of adjacent maxillary incisors per se.
Clinical Relevance:
Root resorption of maxillary incisors is correlated with effects of contact of the impacted maxillary canines, and these findings should be considered in treatment planning. Our findings are consistent with other reports and may develop new treatment approaches for the treatment of this sequela.
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