Associations between unilateral-or-bilateral palatal impactions of permanent maxillary canines with dental...

To investigate the associations between both unilateral/bilateral palatal impactions of the maxillary canine and a long list of various dentoalveolar anatomical measurements and parameters.

This case-control study was performed on CBCTs of 3 groups of 23 subjects each (control, unilateral impaction, bilateral impaction, n = 138 hemimaxillae in 69 patients). Examined were the mesiodistal and buccolingual widths of the 1-6 teeth on the right and left sides, all their roots' lengths, maxillary arch widths on the axial plane at the basal bone and the alveolar bone levels, at the distances 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 mm from the most anterior point, and maxillary arch circumferences. Moreover, primary canine retention was assessed as well. The groups were compared using chi-square, t-test, ANOVA, and Tukey tests (α = 0.05).

Significant comparisons (P < 0.05) included: At the basal bone level, the arch width of the most anterior section was smaller in the control group compared to the unilateral impaction group only, while interestingly at the alveolar bone level, it was larger in control group compared only to bilateral impaction cases at the most anterior segment. First molar roots were longer in bilateral canine impaction cases compared to control. The buccolingual sizes of premolars/first molar was smaller in control compared to canine impaction. The 5-to-5 arch circumference was smaller in bilateral impaction cases compared the control or unilateral impaction cases (P < 0.05).

Several dentoalveolar variables were linked to canine impaction.