Palatally ectopic canines: Closed eruption versus open eruption

This paper reviews the available evidence supporting 2 commonly used method s of surgically exposing palatally ectopic canines. The closed eruption met hod (a bonded attachment is placed at operation and the palatal flap is sut ured back intact) is compared with the open eruption method (a window of pa latal mucosa is excised and the canine allowed to erupt naturally). The cho ice of surgical technique is reviewed in terms of the long-term periodontal implications, the rate of repeat surgery, and treatment time.