What are the intra-arch risk factors for palatally displaced maxillary canine? – Results of a case–control study

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to identify the intra-arch risk factors for palatally displaced canine by comparing the maxillary transverse dimensions, palatal depth (PD), and arch length (AL) of the subjects with and without impacted canine using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). METHODS: In this prospective case–control study, 79 CBCT images of gender- and skeletal feature-matched subjects (25 cases and 54 controls) were compared. Based on the CBCT images, maxillary transverse widths at four levels (molar basal, molar alveolar, premolar basal, and premolar alveolar), maxillary PD, and maxillary AL were measured. Group comparisons were assessed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by post-hoc Scheffe's test, and risk factors were identified using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: The impacted canine group showed significantly smaller molar alveolar width, premolar alveolar width, PD, and greater AL compared to the control group (P = 0.046, P < 0.001, P = 0.003, and P = 0.001, respectively). No significant difference was observed in the molar and premolar basal width measurements between the two groups. Multivariate analysis showed that impacted maxillary canine was influenced by premolar alveolar width (odds ratio (OR): 0.669), PD (OR: 0.532), and AL (OR: 1.739). CONCLUSION: Intra-arch risk factors, such as reduced maxillary premolar transverse alveolar width, PD, and greater AL, are associated with palatally displaced canine.