Dentoskeletal features in mixed dentition children with displaced maxillary canines in a southern Italian population

To analyse the prevalence and the distribution of displaced, buccal/palatal maxillary canines, and the association with sagittal and vertical skeletal relationships in a southern Italian population.

Consecutive records of patients were examined. Inclusion criteria were: age 7-12 years, 1-2 cervical vertebral maturation (CVM) stage, initial dental casts, intraoral photographs, panoramic, lateral and periapical radiographs. Subjects with at least one canine in Lindauer II, III or IV sector and/or α angle >31° were included in displaced maxillary canine (DMC) group, whereas those with both canines in sector I and α angle ≤31° were used as control group (CTR). According to canine bulges and/or x-ray examinations, DMC were then divided in palatal and buccal displaced canines (PDC/BDC). Sagittal and vertical skeletal relationships were evaluated using ANB and SN/GoMe angles. Chi-square tests were performed to compare the prevalence rates of skeletal features.

The sample consisted of 123 children, 40 DMC and 83 CTR. The DMC group included 11 PDC and 29 BDC subjects. The M:F ratio was 1:3 in PDC and BDC, 1:1 in CTR group. The unilateral-to-bilateral ratio was 1:1 and 3:1 in PDC and BDC subjects. The most common sector combination regarding unilateral and bilateral displacements was "II" and "II,II". PDC occurred more in Class I and in hyperdivergents, whereas BDC in Class I or II and in normodivergents.

DMC occurred more often in females than in males. BDC was more common than PDC and unilateral displacements occurred more frequently than bilateral ones. No significant correlation with skeletal features was observed.