MANAGEMENT OF PALATALLY IMPACTED CANINES - THE FINDINGS OF A COLLABORATIVE STUDY

The impacted palatal canine requires a combination of both surgical an d orthodontic management. Two types of approach are commonly used: sim ple exposure, or exposure with bracketing at the time of surgery. In t his study 104 consecutively treated patients with palatally impacted c anines were examined at two centres, one at which the ectopic tooth wa s surgically exposed alone and the other where an orthodontic bracket was bonded to facilitate early traction, and the flap replaced. The ai m was to compare the outcome and complication rate for each type of pr ocedure. In 30.7 per cent of all cases exposed and bracketed a second surgical intervention was required, compared with 15.3 per cent in the simple exposure group. Bracketing, though effective, is a more costly and time-consuming procedure, and it is suggested that simple exposur e provides an equally efficient and predictable method of managing the palatally impacted canine with obvious clinical and financial benefit s. The long-term periodontal status of the teeth which have been expos ed in these two ways, however, needs further investigation.