Is There a Relationship Between Unilateral/Bilateral Impacted Maxillary Canines and Nasal Septum Deviation?

Introduction A deviated nasal septum may be associated with some dentofacial deformities. The aim of the study was to determine whether there is a relationship between some craniomaxillary features of unilateral and bilateral maxillary impacted canines and nasal septum deviation. Methods This is a retrospective study consisting of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of 51 patients. All patients were divided into three subgroups: unilateral maxillary impacted canines (UMIC) (n=19) bilateral maxillary impacted canines (BMIC) (n=15), and control group (MC) (n=17). The septal deviation angle and some angular and dimensional measurements were performed. Differences in linear and angular measurements between the groups were analyzed using One-way ANOVA and the Kruskal-Wallis test. Pearson's correlation analysis was performed to determine the relationship between the septal deviation angle, septal deviation direction, nasal floor angle, and other parameters, and multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to determine the effect of variables in the septal deviation angle. Results Bilateral or unilateral position of the impacted canines was found to be effective on septal deviation. The septal deviation angle and the nasal floor angle values were found to be significantly higher in the UMIC and BMIC groups (p<0.001) than in the MC group. Maxillary width was found to be significantly lower in the BMIC group compared to the UMIC (p<0.01) and MC group (p<0.001). Septal deviation angle was positively correlated with septal deviation direction and nasal floor angle (p<0.001). Palatal width and nasal floor angle were found to be negatively correlated (p<0.05), and palatal depth and septal deviation direction were found to be positively correlated (p<0.01). Groups and septal deviation angle, septal deviation direction, and nasal floor angle were found to be negatively correlated (p<0.001). The multivariate linear regression analysis revealed an association between septal deviation angle, group (p<0.01), and nasal floor angle (p<0.05). Conclusion Bilateral or unilateral position of the impacted canines was found to be effective on septal deviation. The septal deviation angle values were found to be higher when the maxillary impacted canine was unilateral. Unilateral or bilateral positions of the impacted canine and the nasal floor angle were found to be factors affecting the formation of septal deviation.