Eruption of maxillary canines

In 79 of 124 children with bilaterally located widened follicles around non-erupted canines one of the maxillary canines was chosen by lot for surgical exposure of the tooth crown. In seven cases both maxillary canines were exposed. The remaining 38 children were radiographically controlled at certain time intervals as were the 86 cases where surgery was performed. The follicles removed from 52 cases were histologically examined. The result showed that surgical exposure did not enhance the eruption of the tooth. The histological examination showed that the histologic appearance of the extirpated follicle did not correspond to the radiographically verified width of the pericoronal space. The specimens were composed of a loosely arranged fibrous connective tissue with an epithelial lining occurring in 77% of the cases. The epithelial lining consisted of reduced enamel epithelium and showed in none of the cases squamous metaplasia or keratinization. Nor was there any clinical or histologic sign of a neoplastic or cystic change of the follicle.