Maxillary canine impaction in patients with transverse maxillary deficiency

Extensive literature exists concerning impacted maxillary canines. Tooth-size/arch-size discrepancy (lack of space) is a common etiologic factor of impacted canines. No studies exist documenting transverse maxillary deficiency as a causative factor for impacted canines. The purpose of this study was to determine whether patients with impacted maxillary canines have transverse deficiency and if other factors, such as arch length, arch perimeter, and arch form contribute to canine impaction. Fifty-seven (57) subjects with eighty-one (81) impacted maxillary canines were compared to one hundred-three (103) nonimpacted subjects. Intermolar (IM) and intercanine (IC) width, arch length (AL), arch perimeter (AP), and arch form were recorded for each subject. The experimental and control groups were compared using a Z test and Chi-square analysis. Results indicate subjects with canine impactions demonstrate profound transverse maxillary deficiency located in the anterior portion of the dental arch: No significant difference in arch form is noted between the experimental and control groups (p > 0.05).