[Orthodontic-surgical therapy of retained upper canine]

Therapy of impacted teeth is undoubtedly one of the most intriguing issues for the experts in the field of dentistry. General dental practitioners, as well as specialists in the field of pediatric dentistry, periodontology, orthodontics and particularly oral and maxillofacial surgery have been facing this challenge throughout past several years. Each of these experts can contribute to solving this problem; however, each of them alone can solve only a limited number of cases.

Since recently, the fate of impacted tooth has been determined mainly by the competence, experience and skill of the orthodontist to apply light traction in an appropriate direction once the tooth has been made surgically exposed. Oral surgeon and orthodontist should share the responsibility for a patient with impaction as they together have the necessary skill and competence required for an effective therapy. In addition, dental age of the child is to be taken into consideration, as well as his/her overall health status and potential interference with other anomalies of dental arch.