Uncovering and autonomous eruption of palatally impacted canines

Authors

  • D Garcovich DDS, MSc, PhD, Head Master in Advanced Orthodontics, Universidad Europea de Valencia.
  • R Aiuto DDS, DDS Adjunct professor, University of Milan, Department of Oral Rehabilitation, Istituto Stomatologico Italiano, Milan
  • E Lozano Serrano DDS, MSc, Private practitioner, Valencia
  • D Re MD, DDS Full Professor, University of Milan, Chief of Department of Oral Rehabilitation, Istituto Stomatologico Italiano

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23804/ejpd.2018.19.04.9

Keywords:

Autonomous eruption, Maxillary canine, Orthodontics, Palatal impaction, Surgical uncovering

Abstract

AIM: The palatal impaction of maxillary canine is a quite common yet challenging clinical condition that orthodontists have to face in the everyday practice. The purpose of this report is to describe and discuss a case involving the uncovering of an upper canine and it subsequent spontaneous eruption. CASE REPORT: The diagnostic and therapeutic protocol of a case with a palatally impacted canine is presented. The upper right canine was uncovered with an open surgical approach. Removal of the attached gingiva and bone covering the crown enhanced the tooth spontaneous eruption, while the first levelling and aligning phase of the treatment was performed. This approach results in a shorter overall treatment time. This protocol produced an aesthetic, healthy and functional result, which was stable at the two-year post-treatment follow-up.