Palatal and labially impacted maxillary canine-associated dental anomalies: a comparative study.

AIM: To determine the association of impacted maxillary canines with other developmental dental anomalies and compare them with a control population and to compare palatally and labially impacted canine associated anomalies. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Ninety non-syndromic orthodontic patients from a south Indian population, with either labial or palatal impactions of one or both maxillary canine teeth, were selected for the study group. A group of 250 patients who had normally erupted maxillary canines were selected as controls. Clinical findings and panoramic radiographs were used to identify dental anomalies. RESULTS: Prevalence of premolar rotation was found to be 80% in the study group followed by canine rotation (20%), taurodontism (26.6%), infraocclusion of premolars (25.5%), impacted mandibular canine (11.1%), and peg lateral (7.7%). Forty-nine (54.4%) palatally impacted, 37 (41.1%) labially impacted, and 4 (4.4%) centrally impacted canines were also observed. Of the 250 subjects in the control group 78.8% presented with premolar rotation. Maxillary canine transmigration, infraocclusion of premolars, anomalies of maxillary lateral incisors, and taurodontism showed significant associations with palatally impacted canines (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study illustrates a significant association of anomalous maxillary lateral, anomalous mandibular canine, taurodontism, infra occlusion of premolar, over retained deciduous molar, and maxillary canine transmigration with ectopically placed canines. These associations suggest these conditions may share a common genetic origin and existence of these anomalies can anticipate maxillary canine impaction which can help in cautious observation and early treatment for maxillary canine impaction. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Anomalous lateral incisors can serve as a predictor for palatal maxillary canine impaction. These anomalies could serve as an easily recognized, early warning sign for the monitoring of the canine position and timely early referral in appropriate cases.