Bilateral maxillary canine impaction with comparable migration track: Prevalence, sociodemographics and radiographic observations

Introduction: Canines are perceived as cornerstones of the dental arch and plays an essential role in maintaining the facial coordination. When impacted, these functions are lost. We present the prevalence and radiographic presentation of distinctive bilateral maxillary canine. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study of patients presenting for routine dental treatment between 2018 and 2020 at a dental center, Najran. A total of 2016 panoramic radiographs were screened and all patients with bilateral impacted canines were further screened radiologically using cone beam computed tomography. Data such demographics and presence of bilateral maxillary impacted canines were identified. Data analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for IOS Version 25 (Armonk, NY, USA: IBM Corp). Results: A total of 2016 panoramic radiographs were examined out of which 149 cases were the total impacted canines. Of these, 42 cases were bilateral impacted maxillary canines in comparable migration tract with a prevalence rate of 28.2%. There were 18 males and 24 females with an M: F of 1:1.3. Age ranged from 15 to 75 years with mean age ± standard deviation (27.9 ± 10.6) years. We observed the bilateral impacted canine positions were in relation to the central and lateral incisors in the anterio-posterior plane and the cervical and root portions of the roots of the central and lateral incisors in the inferior-superior plane. We attempted to group them into 3 main types (Types 1-3) with 3 subtypes (Subtypes a-c) each. Limitations: This a hospital based study and findings may not be generalized. Population based study is which is required to find out the prevalent rate in the community. Conclusion: These observed positions can be used to predict the favorability or otherwise of orthodontic traction of the impacted bilateral canines.