A simple approach to correct ectopic eruption of maxillary canines

This case report describes the orthodontic treatment of a patient with severe crowding; the maxillary right canines were ectopic, positioned far to the buccal side, and superimposed on the lateral incisors in near-transposition. Treatment included extraction of the 4 first premolars. A transpalatal bar was used as an anchorage device, and beta-titanium T-loop springs (0.019 × 0.025″) were used to better control the ideal force applied to retract the maxillary canines. A segmental T-loop spring was used as if it were a modified system of the segmental archwire technique. After the canines were retracted and space created for the anterior teeth, the latter were included in the treatment and the treatment was finished in the usual manner. Excellent results were achieved, both esthetic and functional. The treatment choices and their straightforward approach were appropriate, yielding predictable and stable results in the long term.