This first of the two papers dealing with impaction of the maxillary c
anines explores the etiology of the most frequently encountered and tr
eated dental impactions. Developmental events believed to play a signi
ficant role in the etiology of impactions, together with diagnostic me
thods of localization, as well as the available preventive measures ar
e reviewed. Our second paper deals with the clinical management of the
maxillary impacted canines.