Mandibular lateral incisor-canine transposition: A case series

Dental transpositions are rare anomalies, which may present to the general dental practitioner or orthodontist. Transpositions occur less frequently in the mandible compared with the maxilla, with the most common mandibular transposition involving the mandibular lateral incisor and canine. The degree of displacement can vary from a relatively minor deviation to complete transposition of the mandibular lateral incisor with the adjacent canine tooth. Due to their highly visible position at the front of the mouth, treatment, ideally involving alignment of these teeth, is important for aesthetic, social and functional purposes. This case series reports six cases with mandibular lateral incisor-canine transposition. They demonstrate the variety in presentation and subsequent management of the ectopic teeth. The importance of early diagnosis in combination with interceptive treatment is discussed, to reduce the burden of potentially lengthy orthodontic treatment at a later date.