Keywords CBCT - palatally impacted maxillary canine - morphology of the maxilla - canine impaction
- retrospective study
Introduction
Maxillary canines are considered vital teeth in maintaining oral function, stability,
and aesthetics.[1 ] The mean age of maxillary canine eruption is between 11 and 12 years for girls and
between 12 and 13 years for boys.[2 ] Teeth eruption is a physiological process; however, occasionally a fully developed
tooth remains embedded within soft or hard tissue after its natural eruption stage
has passed, and it is considered impacted.[3 ] The maxillary canines are the most frequently impacted teeth after the third molars.[4 ]
[5 ]
[6 ] The prevalence of canine impaction in the maxilla has been stated to range between
1.7 and 2.2%, where palatal impaction accounted for about 85% of those impactions
and buccal impaction consisted of 15%.[6 ]
[7 ] In the Arab population, a study has documented that impacted canine prevalence was
3.7%, and palatal impaction accounted for 69% of maxillary canine impactions.[8 ] In yet another study conducted in the Eastern region of Saudi Arabia, maxillary
canines constituted 50.4% of total impacted teeth.[9 ]
Several etiological elements have been suggested for maxillary canine impaction, including
genetic susceptibility,[2 ] variation in maxillary arch length,[10 ] long path of maxillary canine eruption,[11 ] morphology of the lateral incisor, inadequate resorption of the primary root, and
other dental anomalies.[2 ] Several treatment approaches have been recommended for the management of impacted
maxillary canines, but timely diagnosis and the interception of potential impaction
are the most appropriate strategy.[2 ]
It has been reported that the etiological hypotheses of buccal and palatal maxillary
canine impaction are significantly different.[12 ] Two major concepts have been suggested to clarify the incidence of palatal maxillary
canine displacement. These theories are known as the “guidance theory”[13 ] and the “genetic theory.”[14 ]
[15 ] According to the guidance theory, the maxillary canine lacks the guidance for eruption
due to local environmental factors such as odontomas, congenitally missing teeth,
lateral incisor morphology, or supernumerary teeth.[2 ]
[13 ] The genetic theory delegates the occurrence of maxillary canine impaction to the
developmental disruption of the dental lamina.[14 ]
[15 ] In another study, the palatally displaced canine was considered as an anomaly of
genetic origin, as 33% of subjects with a palatally displaced canine were born with
congenitally missing teeth.[16 ] Furthermore, the transverse maxillary arch width, particularly in the premaxillary
region, is reduced in individuals with palatal maxillary canine impaction, especially
in the premaxillary region.[17 ] However, Langberg and Peck observe any relationship between transverse maxillary
width and canine impaction.[18 ] According to Schindel and Duffy, the discrepancy in maxillary transverse measurements
increases the probability of maxillary canine impaction.[19 ]
Several studies have been carried out to determine a correlation between the impacted
maxillary canine position and the maxillary arch morphological characteristics, but
there is a contradiction in the existing literature.[10 ] In a recent review of the literature, Ravi et al suggested that multiple linear
and angular parameters calculated on various Two-dimensional (2D) radiographs such
as lateral cephalograms, orthopantomograms, and posteroanterior cephalograms can be
used to predict maxillary canine impaction. Three-dimensional studies, on the other
hand, are required to precisely assess and diagnose canine impactions.[20 ] In addition, there is a substantial need to conduct further studies based on the
ethnicity, race, and origin of the study population.[21 ] Therefore, further research is mandatory to find out the relationship between maxillary
canine impaction and the morphology of the maxilla. In this study, our focus is on
unilateral palatal canine impaction due to its high prevalence (85% of the total maxillary
canine impaction).[7 ] Furthermore, it has been shown in the literature that orthodontic treatment of palatally
impacted canines takes longer than controls with similar characteristics, and age
of treatment is a risk predictor for the length of treatment.[22 ] The management and prognosis of impacted maxillary canines can vary based on the
initial diagnosis and the location of the impacted canine, which in turn dictates
management, ranging from a surgical vs a non-surgical approach to a single-arch versus
double-arch treatment.[4 ]
[23 ] It has been found that impacted canines that underwent orthodontic treatment can
display deleterious periodontal and pulpal indices when compared to controls.[23 ] In addition, it has been demonstrated that the location of impacted maxillary canines
can have an effect on the severity of root resorption of neighboring teeth, which
plays a pivotal role in the orthodontic and surgical management of the impaction.[24 ] Studies have shown that there is a high incidence of maxillary canine impaction
in all regions of Saudi Arabia.[7 ]
[9 ] To date, no study has investigated a link between unilateral palatal maxillary canine
impaction and maxillary arch morphology in the Saudi population. Therefore, this retrospective
study was designed to examine the correlation between the morphology of the maxilla
and unilateral palatal maxillary canine impaction among the Saudi population in the
Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia aged between 13 and 22 years.
Materials and Methods
Ethical Approval
The ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Institutional Review Board
of Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University (IAU) (IRB number: 2022-02-218). The study
was conducted according to the guidelines of the Helsinki Declaration.
Setting and Patients' Records
This study was a retrospective, teaching hospital-based study performed at Imam Abdulrahman
bin Faisal University Dental Hospital. This study was carried out using the medical
records of individuals (age group: 13–22) who visited the university's teaching dental
hospital for orthodontic treatment between 2015 and 2021 in Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
Patient inclusion criteria for the experimental group were (1) patient age: 13–22
years old, (2) no history of previous interceptive or orthodontic treatment, and (3)
diagnosis by an orthodontist with unilateral palatal maxillary canine impaction. Inclusion
criteria for the control group were patients requiring orthodontic and dentofacial
orthopaedic treatment where the maxillary canines had fully erupted, whereas other
inclusion criteria were similar to the study group. Patient exclusion criteria were
(1) patient age: less than 13 or more than 22 years, (2) history of previous interceptive
or orthodontic treatment, (3) presence of odontoma or supernumerary teeth, (4) presence
of any congenital dentofacial anomaly (cleft lip or palate) or hereditary syndromes,
(5) presence of multiple impacted teeth, (6) congenitally missing teeth, (7) skeletal
dysplasia, and (8) bilateral palatal or buccal canine impactions.
Sample Size Calculation
Sample size calculation was performed with an effect size of 0.7, at a significance
level of 0.05 and a power of 80%. Taking into consideration the above parameters,
the sample size was desired to be 16 subjects in each study group.
CBCT Analysis
Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) was performed as part of the standard orthodontic
diagnostic records for patients undergoing orthodontic and dentofacial orthopaedic
treatment at IAU Dental Hospital. Computerized tomographic imaging was carried out
using a CS 9300 Premium imaging system (90 kV, 5 mA, 17 × 11 cm field of view, Carestream
Dental, France). While taking the radiographs, patients were standing upright wearing
a full lead apron with a neck collar, and they were asked to bite in a maximum intercuspation
position with their chin centered within the chin rest base and their head supported
with a 3D headrest. The image slice thickness taken was 0.75 mm. The following measurements
were performed on the CBCT images by three different examiners: (1) maxillary arch
length, (2) palatal vault depth, (3) intermolar width, (4) sum of 4 maxillary incisors'
widths, (5) available arch space, (6) palatal maxillary width (PMW) in molar and premolar
region (at cement–enamel junction [CEJ], alveolar crest and mid-palatal root level),
and (7) width of nasal cavity. Interexaminer reliability and intraexaminer consistency
were assessed at a 1-month interval based on 10% of the total sample data selected
at random. All these measurements are depicted in [Figs. 1 ] and [2 ]. A line was drawn between the mesiobuccal cusps of the right and left maxillary
first molars. The length of this line was considered as intermolar width. A perpendicular
line was drawn from the incisal edge of the upper central incisors to the straight
line that determines intermolar width. This distance was recorded as the arch length.
If any difficulty was encountered in the exact identification of the incisal edge
position of the central incisors due to rotation or crowding, the measurement was
recorded from the most labial side of the maxillary central incisor. The palatal vault
depth was recorded as the vertical distance from the deepest point on the palatal
vault to the horizontal contact line between the right and left first maxillary molars
([Fig. 1 ]). The width of the nasal cavity was recorded at the broadest part of the lower third
of the nasal cavity in the coronal section of the CBCT image. ICAT vision software
(Science International, Q version 1.8.1.10, Imaging, Hatfield, Pennsylvania, United
States) was utilized to record all the measurements. Each measurement was recorded
twice, and the mean was used for statistical analysis.
Fig. 1 (A ) Representation of the measurements of the intermolar width (IMW); arch length (AL);
available arch space; and sum of the maxillary four incisor (a distance of point a
to b). (B ) Representation of the measurements of the width of the nasal cavity.
Fig. 2 Representation of the measurements of the palatal vault depth (green line), with
reference to occlusal plane (blue line); palatal maxillary width in molar region at
the level of cement–enamel junction (purple line); at the alveolar crest level (orange
line); and the mid-root level (red line).
The maxillary arch shape (arch length/intermolar width x 100) was determined by calculating
the ratio of arch length to intermolar width measurements. The shape of the palate
was evaluated by the ratio of the depth of the palatal vault to the intermolar width
(palatal vault depth/intermolar width x100). The maxillary arch shape and the shape
of the palate were compared between the control and palatally impacted canine groups.
Statistical Analysis
Data analyses were performed using SPSS-20.0 (IBM, Chicago, Illinois, United States).
Categorical data, including gender and systemic diseases, were presented as frequencies
and percentages. A chi-squared test was used to compare these categorical variables
between the control and palatally impacted maxillary canine (PIMC) groups. Numerical
data based on measurements of CBCT are presented as mean ± standard deviation. These
numeric variables were explored for the test of normality using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov
test within the control and PIMC groups, which revealed a normal distribution. An
unpaired t-test was used to compare mean differences between the control and PIMC
groups. p -value less than or equal to 0.05 reflected statistical significance.
Results
The 36 subjects included in this study were divided into two groups, that is, the
PIMC group and the control group. The PIMC group consisted of 17 patients (8 male
and 9 female) with a mean age of 16.75 ± 2.12 years. The control group consisted of
19 subjects (9 male and 10 female) with a mean age of 17.16 ± 2.12 years ([Table 1 ]). The control and PIMC groups were statistically uniform concerning mean age (p = 0.651) and gender (p = 0.873). The reliability coefficient for items' measurement reliability was tested
using Cronbach's alpha, which equaled 0.996, revealing highly reliable intrarater
validity. Interrater consistency was calculated based on intraclass correlation, which
equaled 0.985, also revealing a high degree of concordance between the examiners.
Table 1
Comparison of demographic characteristics between control versus PIMC group
Gender
Total
(n = 36)
Control
(n = 19)
Palatal
(n = 17)
p -value
o Male
17 (47.2%)
9 (47.4%)
8 (47.1%)
0.985
o Female
19 (51.4%)
10 (52.6%)
9 (52.9%)
Abbreviation: PIMC, palatally impacted maxillary canine.
The available arch space (p = 0.012) and the palatal vault depth (p = 0.028) were significantly greater in the control group as compared to the PIMC
group. However, no statistically significant differences were observed concerning
the arch length, intermolar width, and sum of width of maxillary incisors between
the two groups. PMW in the molar and premolar region at the level of the alveolar
crest (p = 0.002 and p = 0.034) as well as at the mid-root level (p = 0.004 and p = 0.022) were significantly higher in the control group as compared to the PMIC group.
Meanwhile, PMW in the molar region at the level of CEJ was marginally significant
(p = 0.070) and PMW in the premolar region at the level of CEJ was insignificant between
the two groups (p = 0.228). No statistically significant differences were observed concerning the width
of the nasal cavity between the two groups ([Table 2 ]).
Table 2
Comparison of maxillary arch parameters between the control and the PIMC groups
Variable
Control
(n = 19)
PIMC
(n = 17)
p -value
Maxillary Arch length
36.09 ± 4.62
35.72 ± 4.28
0.806
Available arch space
76.41 ± 5.37
71.35 ± 5.64
0.012[a ]
Sum 4 maxillary incisors
30.68 ± 2.77
30.93 ± 3.26
0.809
Palatal vault depth
21.78 ± 2.73
19.73 ± 2.48
0.028[a ]
Intermolar width
53.30 ± 4.47
53.10 ± 2.66
0.876
PMW in the molar region at CEJ
35.52 ± 4.27
33.29 ± 3.67
0.070
PMW in molar region at alveolar crest level
34.18 ± 3.95
29.91 ± 2.32
0.002[a ]
PMW in the molar region at the mid-root level
30.17 ± 3.25
26.96 ± 2.80
0.004[a ]
PMW in premolar region at CEJ
29.01 ± 2.56
27.52 ± 4.52
0.228
PMW in premolar region at alveolar crest level
27.71 ± 2.56
25.31 ± 4.23
0.034[a ]
PMW in premolar region at the mid-root level
24.26 ± 2.61
20.41 ± 6.33
0.022[a ]
Width of the nasal cavity
20.51 ± 3.39
21.66 ± 1.58
0.209
Abbreviations: CEJ, cement–enamel junction; PIMC, palatally impacted maxillary canine;
PMW, palatal maxillary width.
a Significant at p ≤ 0.05.
In the same way, no statistically significant difference was seen between the two
groups (p = 0.707) with respect to the maxillary arch shape. However, regarding the palatal
vault shape, a statistically significant difference was observed between the PIMC
group and the control group (p = 0.037) ([Table 3 ]).
Table 3
Comparison of maxillary arch shape and palatal vault shape between the control and
the PIMC groups
Variable
Control
(n = 19)
PIMC
(n = 17)
p -value
Maxillary arch shape[1 ]
68.02 ± 9.38
67.15 ± 6.47
0.707
Palatal vault shape[2 ]
41.14 ± 6.16
37.36 ± 5.81
0.037a
Abbreviation: PIMC, palatally impacted maxillary canine.
1: Measurements for the comparison of maxillary arch shape: arch length/intermolar width
x 100. 2: Measurements for the comparison of palatal vault shape: palatal vault depth/intermolar
width x 100. a Significant at p ≤0.05.
Discussion
The study aimed to determine whether there exist any correlations between palatally
impacted canines and the morphology of the maxilla in the study population using CBCT
analysis. The study design employed CBCT rather than conventional methods in the assessment
and localization of palatally impacted canines. Dalessandri et al[25 ] emphasized that 3D-assessed CBCT indices are more reliable and far superior when
compared to the 2D-based conventional assessments. It has also been reported that
intra- and interobserver variability is very minimal when assessed by CBCT.[26 ] The mean age of the participants in our study was 16.75 years in the PIMC group
with age-matched controls. This was consistent with the mean age found in previous
literature reviews.[27 ]
The most significant finding in our study was that both the available arch space and
the palatal vault depth were significantly decreased in the PIMC subjects than in
controls, prompting a narrower and shorter palate in the evaluated PIMC subjects.
The decrease in the available arch space can be attributed to the posterior segment
because the arch space was assessed by dividing the maxillary arch into four segments.
The p -value was insignificant for the anterior segments (sum of the 4 maxillary anterior
teeth), but the decreased overall available arch space showed a significant correlation
in palatally impacted canine subjects than in controls, prompting a significant decrease
in the posterior segments. Previous studies have found a strong association between
intermolar width, available arch space, the sum of the anterior segments, and arch
length being smaller in subjects with displaced maxillary canines than in controls.[10 ]
[28 ]
[29 ] But our study only showed a drastic decrease in the available arch space, followed
by a minimal decrease in arch length, with no significant decrease in the sum of the
anterior segments and intermolar width, contrary to the above studies. This could
be ascribed to the sample size employed in our study.
Studies have also demonstrated marked transverse maxillary deficiency in the anterior
segment in patients with canine impactions, which was not in agreement with our study.[17 ] The anterior segment comprising four maxillary incisors was wide enough but still
associated with PIMC. This could be explained by studies that revealed that in about
85% of palatally impacted canines, sufficient space was available for eruption.[30 ] Arch length sufficiency was also reported by Stellzig et al in 82% of subjects with
palatally displaced canines.[31 ] Hence, these findings were in agreement with our study, and a more predictable etiology
for PIMC is the failure of the canine to migrate from the palatal to the buccal aspect,
as explained by McSherry and Richardson.[32 ] Another possibility could be the anomalous lateral incisor failing to guide the
canine in its vicinity, as reported by Becker et al.[12 ]
In the current study, the intermolar width did not show any statistically significant
results between controls and the PIMC group. The majority of the studies in the literature
did not report any significant observations in intermolar width between PIMC and controls,[17 ]
[18 ]
[33 ]
[34 ]
[35 ] except for a couple of studies reported by Kim et al[29 ] and Schindel and Duffy.[19 ] The discrepancies can be attributed to the diverse methodologies and varied ethnicities
included in the study populations. Further, none of the previous studies evaluated
the transverse PMW dimensions at different anatomic reference points in the molar
and premolar regions. This study showed a significant reduction in the transverse
dimensions at the alveolar crest and mid-root region in PIMC subjects. This was in
line with a similar observation by Elmarhoumy, who concluded a reduced maxillary transverse
dimension in impacted canine patients when evaluated at four different anatomic reference
points. However, the latter's reference points differed from those of the current
study.[36 ] The clinical significance of these transverse dimensions when coupled with the assessment
of arch length, perimeter, and crowding will assist the orthodontist in the appropriate
selection of rapid maxillary expansion devices along with the prediction of relapse
and retention.[37 ]
The depth of the palatal vault differed significantly between the two study groups
in this study. Kim et al[29 ] have extensively studied the depth of the palatal vault in palatally and buccally
impacted canines and justified that a deeper and narrower palatal vault contributes
to the increased vertical length of the maxilla, which thereby influences the further
separation of the maxillary lateral incisor and the canine tooth germs, thereby contributing
to the lack of guidance for the canine to erupt significantly. But our findings showed
a shallow palatal vault in the palatally impacted canines group, which is not in agreement
with Kim et al's report.[29 ] Furthermore, our study also showed an increase in transverse diameter in the anterior
segment. When this finding is coupled with the shallow palatal vault in PIMC subjects,
the pathogenesis for impaction can be deduced to be of genetic origin on the palatal
aspect.[16 ] But our findings could not support the guidance theory in the etiology of PIMC as
reported by similar study.[38 ]
The palatal vault shape also showed significant observations in the control and experimental
groups. But previous studies of unilaterally and bilaterally palatally impacted canines
denoted no significant palatal vault morphology, and the observed subjects showed
no maxillary transverse constriction except for a significant reduction in the inter-canine
width between the two groups.[39 ]
Our findings of decreased transverse palatal width and shallow palatal height substantiate
the findings of Tang et al, who found a decreased palatal vault depth and palatal
intermolar area when measured on casts of growing children with PIMC.[40 ] Our study shed some light on the effects of the transverse dimension of the palatal
morphology at various levels of the teeth, such as the CEJ, the alveolar crest, and
the mid-root level. Our findings suggest a more important role of the morphology of
palatal bone compared to the teeth, as the PMW in the molar and premolar region at
the level of the alveolar crest as well as at the mid-root level was significantly
higher in the control group when compared to the PMIC group (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the PMW in the molar and premolar region at the CEJ was both
statistically insignificant between the two groups (p = 0.07 and p = 0.228, respectively).
The PIMC subjects in our study exhibited wide anterior transverse diameter, constricted
posterior transverse diameter, decreased available arch space and palatal vault depth,
and a marginal decrease in arch length and intermolar width. Of all the above, the
constricted posterior transverse segment has a direct clinical implication. The constricted
posterior segment in PIMC found in this study could be interrupted early by interceptive
orthodontics in younger populations by rapid maxillary expansion.[28 ] Furthermore, managing impacted canines in younger individuals is more successful
and requires fewer orthodontic visits compared to adults.[2 ] The current findings help the clinician to intercept at an early phase with some
preventive protocols, which further prevent the complication of canine impactions.
But a combination of transpalatal arch therapy and extraction of the deciduous canine
in the late mixed dentition period has proved to be more effective in reducing the
risk of palatal impactions.[41 ] Perhaps utilizing the findings from CBCT imaging in the early phases of PIMC can
aid clinicians in treatment decisions regarding altering the maxillary width.
Clinical Implication
The findings of this study depicted that the maxillary arch's morphological characteristics
might be used as a risk indicator for the early detection and diagnosis of maxillary
canine impaction in the Saudi population. Early diagnosis using preoperative radiographic
assessment via CBCT scans yields more benefits and reduces the patient's treatment
burden through early intervention.[10 ] Rapid maxillary expansion at an early age might contribute to decreased incidence
of PIMC. The data from the current study on maxillary arch width, available arch space,
and palatal vault depth would be useful for early prediction of a PIMC during the
initial diagnosis and decision-making phase. By comparing these parameters to normal
features of maxillary morphology, early detection of disruption in maxillary canine
eruption could be identified, and orthodontists' treatment planning could be improved.
Furthermore, patients and their families could be well informed with respect to the
most suitable treatment options.[2 ]
Limitations of the Study
The main limitations of this study were that the sample size used was not large enough
and the study's focus was on only one ethnic population. The PIMC subjects in our
study were restricted to unilateral palatal canine impactions, and the influence of
gender on maxillary morphology was not deduced. Despite the limited sample size, this
study improves the existing evidence regarding the relationship between palatally
maxillary impacted canines and the morphology of the maxilla.
Therefore, future studies should be conducted at a multicenter level, with the goal
of comparing these parameters across various racial and ethnic groups. Furthermore,
evaluating the longitudinal effect of early intervention with rapid maxillary impaction
on the prognosis of impacted maxillary canines could yield some valuable clinical
implications.
Conclusion
This study established a correlation between unilateral palatal maxillary canine impaction
and the morphology of the maxilla in the Saudi population as follows:
The most significant findings in the current study were decreased available arch space
and palatal vault depth, indicating a constricted posterior transverse segment and
a shallow palate in the PIMC group.
The PIMC subjects exhibited wider anterior transverse diameter when compared to their
posterior counterparts. The constricted posterior segment has a direct clinical implication,
which, when intercepted early, can reduce the risk of palatal impactions.
Abbreviations
(PIMC):
Unilateral palatally impacted maxillary canine
(MAL):
Maxillary arch length
(PVD):
Palatal vault depth
(IMW):
Intermolar width
(SFMI):
Sum of widths of 4 maxillary incisors
(AAS):
Available arch space
(PMW):
Palatal maxillary width
(NCW):
Nasal cavity width
(MAS):
Maxillary arch shape, and
(PVS):
Palatal vault shape