From displacement to impaction of the maxillary canine: diagnosis and early eruption detection

Objectives. The aim of the study is to present the most innovative interceptive treatment options during the early mixed dentition in subjects with a displaced maxillary permanent canine. Materials and methods. After a diagnosis of canine displacement, it is possible to apply several interceptive treatment options to encourage eruption. In this section, all the treatment approaches proposed by the literature have been individually described, and for each of them the relevant scientific validity has been assessed. Results. A careful literature review and analysis shows that the therapeutic approach of canine displacement has changed during the years and has passed from a passive/observational method, envisaging the extraction of the deciduous canine and the radiographic monitoring alone, to more complex protocols of interceptive treatment, that may include maxillary expansion, associated or not with the distalization of the latero-posterior segments. Discussion. In case of early diagnosis, the displaced canine recovery can be achieved through an innovative approach integrating the described protocols with the combined extraction of the deciduous canine and the first molar as determining factors of the orthodontic planning. Conclusions. The interceptive treatment of permanent maxillary canine displacement, when early diagnosed, aims to increase the prevalence rate of successful spontaneous eruption, while avoiding complex orthodontic and biologically invasive mechanics for the patient.