Impacted maxillary canines: tunnelised or open traction:

Address for correspondence: H. VAN BEEK, Chair Orthodontic department, ACTA, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Abstract

Impacted upper canines occur, in buccal or palatal sites, in about 3% of the population and pose a threat to neighbouring teeth. Before orthodontists can bring them into their proper positions in the arch, oral surgeons often have to uncover them. In this article we discuss the traction pathways, open or tunnelised, that orthodontists can then use to begin moving them. While orthodontists can use both techniques successfully, they should understand the advantages and disadvantages of both before making a decision.