Prevalence and Position of Impacted Canine (Clinical and Radiological Study)

Background: Canine is the cornerstone of the dental arch. It plays a vital role in facial appearance, dental esthetics, arch development and functional occlusion. Canines can be impacted facially or palatally, it considered to be the third most common tooth to be impacted next to mandibular and maxillary third molars, Diagnosis of impacted canine is achieved by clinical and radiographic examination and treatment planning is based upon diagnostic finding. Early detection of impacted maxillary canines may reduce treatment time, complexity, complications and cost. Aim of study: this study was done to evaluate the prevalence and position of impacted canine radiographically and clinically. Materials and method: Out of 300 patients were collected only 19 subjects (10 males and 9 females) had impacted canine and examined clinically and radiographically. Result: There were 19 patients had impacted canine, the main of them was male (52.63 %) and (47.36 %) females, (89.47 %) had upper impacted canine and (10.52 %) had lower impacted canine. The percentage of unilateral left side canine impaction was (10.52 %) while unilateral right-side canine impaction (63.15 %) and bilateral canine impaction (26.31 %). Conclusion: The prevalence of canine impaction is higher in upper arch than in lower arch and occur mostly unilaterally, and occur predominantly in females.