Clinical implications of early loss of a lower deciduous canine

In crowded dental arches, the permanent lateral incisors often erupt and resorb the mesial portion of the root of deciduous canines, causing their premature loss. Therefore, knowledge on clinical aspects related to etiologic factors is necessary to pediatric orthodontists and clinical dentists for diagnosis and treatment with regard to incisor crowding and adjustment. The aim of the present study was to describe a clinical case characterized by the unilateral loss of a lower deciduous canine, offering clinical considerations on this issue and discussing the various procedures implemented to prevent potential problems. A patient, 8 years of age, had the lower right deciduous canine prematurely lost, resulting in a deviation from the midline to the same side of the loss caused by the migration of the permanent incisors. The antimeric canine was removed and a fixed apparatus was attached to the lower arch associated to a spring to correct the midline. Next, a lip bumper device was employed to promote the vestibular conduction of the lower incisors to accommodate the permanent canines in the arch. Although early loss of deciduous canines occurs frequently, treatment possibilities are controversial and further studies on the subject are necessary Orthodontic evaluation should be always considered to minimize the need to extract permanent teeth and/or future orthodontic treatment.