The purpose of this study was to determine whether patients with impacted maxillary canines have transverse deficiency and if other factors, such as arch length, arch perimeter, and arch form contribute to canine impaction. The experimental and control groups were compared using a Z test and Chi-square analysis. Coronal resorption of maxillary canines is a possible complication of long standing impaction. Degeneration of the enamel epithelium allows the connective tissues to come into direct contact with enamel. Irregular replacement of the pericoronal tissues and resorbed enamel by bone characterizes the histological picture.
Inflammatory changes are rare.
Radiographically the crown of the canine was incompletely formed and showed irregular resorption. Serial radiographs taken over a five-year period showed movement of the canine superiorly in relation to the hard palate which was taken as radiographic evidence for ankylosis of the resorbing maxillary canine in a growing child. An adolescent patient who loses a permanent first molar presents a clinical challenge for the practitioner. The ideal space maintainer should not only maintain the edentulous space, but it should also maintain inter-arch integrity. An esthetic, inexpensive unilateral space maintainer has been designed for the replacement of a permanent first molar in an adolescent patient.