Interest in the early extraction of temporary maxillary canines to prevent the inclusion of permanent canines and determination of the Canine Congestion Index^®. Radiological retrospective study

ODF Functional Unit, Timone Hospital, Odontology Department, 264 rue Saint-Pierre, 13385 Marseille, France

Address for correspondence: Michel Le Gall 264 rue Saint-Pierre – 13385 Marseille – France msjlegall@aol.com

Received: 20 April 2017
Accepted: 1 June 2017

Abstract

This study is designed to demonstrate the interest in extracting temporary maxillary canines to facilitate the establishment of permanent canines in ectopic positions. On the basis of the results of our experience with 104 maxillary canines in ectopic positions in 58 patients aged 8–15 years, we recommend using temporary canines and radiological follow-up for a period of 18 months (interval of 6 months) with orthopantomograms to monitor the development of permanent canines (anteroposterior position, angle, and vertical position). We found an improvement in the positioning of the permanent canines through the extraction of deciduous canines in 87% cases. On the basis of these results, we devise an interception scored protocol of ectopic canines by extraction of deciduous canines with other inclusion criteria, which is defined as the Canine Crowding Index^®. There is significant interest in avoiding included canines using an orthopantomogram, which is important for both the patient and the practitioner; this results in a decrease in treatment time, orthosurgical traction failures, and root resorption of the adjacent teeth.