Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 25, 2025
Author Spotlight: 3D Movement Assessment of Maxillary Posterior Teeth in Clear Aligner Treatment
Published on: February 23, 2024
An analysis of clinical and imaging features of unilateral impacted maxillary central incisors: A cross-sectional
Jifang Hui1, Yirui Niu2, Rongzhao Jin2
1Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, Clinical Research Center of Shaanxi Province for Dental and Maxillofacial Diseases, Department of the First Clinic, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
Introduction:
This cross-sectional study sought to assess clinical features and 3-dimensional distribution of unilateral impacted maxillary central incisors and identify factors associated with the root morphology.
Methods:
Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images from 94 subjects exhibiting unilateral impacted maxillary incisors were selected and evaluated. Original CBCT data were reconstructed using Mimics software (version 17.0; Materialise, Belgium). Clinical features and 3-dimensional distribution of impacted maxillary central incisors and factors associated with the root morphology were observed and analyzed by 2 orthodontists.
Results:
This patient cohort included 52 male patients and 42 female patients. Thirty-three incisors (35.11%) with dilacerated roots, 17 incisors (18.09%) with retained deciduous teeth, 15 incisors (15.96%) with supernumerary teeth, and 15 incisors (15.96%) with a history of trauma were identified in the study. Of the 94 impacted incisors, the most common were labially impacted (n = 65; 69.15%), followed by vertically impacted (n = 17; 18.09%) and palatally impacted (n = 12; 12.77%). Chi-square tests revealed that differences in subjects with supernumerary teeth, buccolingual position, sagittal position, and axial position in the upright and dilacerated root groups were statistically significant (P <0.05). Logistic regression analysis indicated that the incidence of dilacerations was higher in the inverted position than in the inclined position and horizontal position (P <0.05).
Conclusions:
Labially impacted maxillary incisors were more common than vertically or palatally incisors. Dilaceration was most commonly observed in patients with inverted incisors. In clinical practice, CBCT is a valuable tool for diagnosing impacted maxillary central incisors and for making appropriate treatment plans for patients.
