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.