The resolution of palatally impacted canines using palatal-occlusal force from a buccal auxiliary

Palatally impacted canines can usually be mechanically drawn directly to the labial arch wire after they have been surgically exposed. Occasionally, the direct line between the impacted tooth and the arch wire is obstructed by the presence of the root of the lateral incisor, or the tooth is very superiorly displaced, which makes direct traction ill-advised and impractical. In this situation, it is recommended that the tooth be erupted vertically downward, through the palatal tissue on the palatal side of the dental arch, as a first stage and, only then moved buccally into its place in the arch. This article describes a method whereby an auxiliary spring is placed on the buccal side of the arch to produce the vertical and palatal traction needed. There are no palatal accessories, and the auxiliary is tied in, "piggy-back" fashion, over the main base arch, by using the multibracketed appliance already present.