Impacted canine
Use clinical examination and appropriate imaging to localise, assess adjacent roots and agree a joint surgical-orthodontic plan.
Understand
An ectopic maxillary canine may resorb adjacent incisor roots or fail to erupt. Clinical palpation and eruption pattern guide the need for imaging.
Assess
Check retained primary canines, asymmetry, lateral incisor position and radiographic relationships. Use further imaging only when localisation or root assessment changes planning.
Apply
Coordinate exposure, orthodontic traction, extraction or observation with the patient and specialist team. Document incisor risk and the possibility that traction may fail.
Key distinctions
The ectopic canine's 3D position and relationship to incisor roots guide whether extraction of the primary canine, exposure and traction, or an alternative is appropriate. A panoramic image may indicate risk but cannot always define root contact. Further imaging is justified only if it changes decisions. Surgical and orthodontic teams should agree direction of traction and contingency if movement is unsuccessful.
Think through a case
A retained primary canine and absent buccal bulge suggest an ectopic permanent canine. Investigate localisation and possible incisor root contact before planning exposure.
The distinction to remember
Do not assume traction is always achievable; position, root damage and patient burden affect the plan.
Test your recall
What is a key complication of an ectopic maxillary canine?
Show answer
Root resorption of adjacent incisors.