Incidence of incisor root resorption associated with the position of the impacted maxillary canines: A cone-beam computed tomographic study.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to examine the incidence and position of lateral and central incisor root resorption owing to the impaction of maxillary canines by means of cone-beam computed tomography and to investigate parameters associated with the respective resorption.

Methods: Sixty-one patients presenting with unilateral or bilateral impacted maxillary canines were evaluated in a university clinic in Athens, Greece, using cone-beam computed tomography scan. No patient had undergone any type of orthodontic treatment in the past. Eleven different parameters related to the existence, grade, and localization of resorption were examined. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate potential associations.

Results: In our study, canine impaction caused lateral root resorption in 18.5% of the cases examined. Age was associated with localization of the impacted maxillary left canine in a palatal-buccal direction. More specifically, in younger patients, the impacted left canine was more likely to be located in the middle of the maxillary bone, whereas in older patients, it was more likely to be located in the palatal or buccal side of the bone. Lateral root resorption in the apical or middle third was more common in the younger ages, whereas lateral root resorption in the incisal third more common in the older ages. Lateral root resorption increased as the angle between the longitudinal axis of the impacted canine and the adjacent lateral incisor also increased.

Conclusions: Incidence of lateral root resorption was 18.5% in this study population. In younger patients, the impacted canines appear more often in the middle of the maxillary bone, whereas in older patients, the canines are located more often in the palatal or buccal side of the maxilla.