Evaluation of Palatal Depth and Nasal Septum in Patients with Unilaterally Impacted Maxillary Canines: A Cone Beam Tomography Study

Abstract

Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate nasal septal deviation and palatal vault depth in subjects with unilaterally buccally and palatally impacted canine using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Subjects and Methods: CBCT scans of 60 subjects were divided into 3 groups of 20 each, control group (no impaction), labial group (group with unilaterally labially maxillary impacted canine) and palatal group (group with unilaterally palatally maxillary impacted canine). Palatal depth and nasal septum deviation were measured and compared among the studied groups. Results: Deviated nasal septum was found in 10% of control group, 60% in palatally impacted maxillary canine group and the highest ratio (80%) was found in labially impacted maxillary canine group. Nasal septum deviation was significantly greater in the impaction groups compared with the control group, but there was no significant difference between labially and palatally impacted groups. Conclusion: maxillary canine impaction can be expected when nasal septum is deviated