PREVALENCE AND PATTERNS OF IMPACTED MAXILLARY CANINES: A CBCT BASED RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Abstract

Maxillary canines are considered as the cornerstone of the mouth. This study aims to estimate the prevalence and unfold various patterns present in maxillary canine impactions using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Digital records of 3469 patient were collected from two different radiological units. Sorting of CBCT data was done for identification of maxillary impacted canines cases. Data were analyzed statistically, and descriptive statics were generated for age, gender, quadrant, and position of impacted canines. Chi-square test was used to check the difference in the distribution of impacted canines regarding gender, quadrant and position of impacted teeth. A p-value of <0.05 was taken as significant.

One hundred and eighty-seven patients were identified with impacted maxillary canines making a prevalence of 5%, with a mean age of 17.9 +2.65 years. 117 impacted canine cases were located in females while 70 impacted canine cases were in males. Female to male ratio was1.67:1. Statistically, a significant difference was noted between genders (p-value =0.00). No difference was noted between genders regarding quadrant and position of impacted canines.

Higher prevalence of impacted canine was noted in females, while left side predominance was found in both genders. Palatal impactions were most common while a higher prevalence of buccal impaction, than previously reported was noted in the present study.