Alignment of buccally placed canine with modified transpalatal arch

Abstract

Alignment of malposed teeth is generally treated using coaxial wires, NiTi wires, or HANT wires. However, when canines which are ectopically erupted are tried to be aligned with NiTi wires, due to their bulky root structure, there is a risk of round tripping of adjacent teeth. This unnecessary round tipping creates load on the anchorage (leading to anchor loss) and prolongs the treatment duration. In this case, a unique approach to align buccally placed canine using a modified transpalatal arch (TPA) has been discussed. This case report describes a 20-year-old female, with a buccally placed left maxillary canine, being placed totally out of the arch. The first premolar was extracted to make space for the canine in the arch. The canine was brought into alignment using a palatal traction with the help of a modified TPA and an E-chain initially and later a closed coil spring attached to a palatal button on the canine.