Surgical Treatment of Impacted Canines

When an impacted permanent maxillary canine has been diagnosed, the general practitioner or pediatric dentist thinks in terms of surgery and orthodontics, usually in that order. If there is an existing malocclusion that requires orthodontic treatment, a full orthodontic appraisal is needed for planning the overall mechanotherapy. The orthodontist will undertake a clinical examination. When all the information is collated, a treatment plan will be formulated to resolve the overall malocclusion, which may lead to a decision to extract permanent teeth. The orthodontist is ultimately responsible to the patient for the success of the treatment plan.