Canine impaction – A review of the prevalence, etiology, diagnosis and treatment

Abstract

The signs and symptoms of canine impaction can vary, with patients only noticing symptoms when they are suffering from unsightly esthetics, faulty occlusion, or poor cranio-facial development. While various surgical interventions have been proposed to expose and help erupt impacted canines, these treatment modalities have a high degree of difficulty compared to other types of dental cosmetic surgeries. This paper focuses on multi-disciplinary strategies for treating and managing canine impaction, reviews patient and clinical selection criteria, and discusses the evidence underlying existing interventions to reduce complications and improve patient-centered outcomes following treatment.