Comparative Analysis of Morphological Characteristics and Localization of Maxillary Impacted Canines using Cone Beam Computed Tomography

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the crown length and width and root length and dilacerations in unilateral impacted maxillary canines, compared with contralateral erupted canines, and to investigate the relationship between the morphology of impacted canines and their localization. MATERIAL/METHODS: Pretreatment cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) of 40 patients (age range 11–34 years) with unilateral impacted maxillary canines (IC) were analyzed. The crown length, crown width, root length, and dilacerations of IC were assessed and compared with that of contralateral erupted canines (CC). The eruption path length, impaction depth, and impaction height were measured, and mesio-distal and labio-palatal positions of the IC were determined. RESULTS: Crown length and width of IC were significantly greater, by 0.15 mm and 0.26 mm, respectively, than that of CC (P<0.001). Root length of IC was shorter than that of CC by 1.46 mm (P<0.001). Root dilaceration was found in 72.5% of IC and 60% of CC (P=0.213). The mean dilaceration angle of IC was 8.84° higher than that of CC (P>0.05). Correlations existed between direction of dilaceration and length of the eruption path (P=0.027), IC root length and depth of impaction (P=0.017), root length (P=0.037), and direction of root dilaceration (P=0.03) and the position of the IC in the mesio-distal direction. CONCLUSIONS: IC crown length and width were significantly longer than that of CC, while IC root length was shorter. Longer root length was observed in impacted canines with greater mesio-distal and horizontal dislocation.