Nonextraction Treatment of Class I Malocclusion having Anterior Crowding and Multiple Canine Impactions

Abstract

Canine impaction is a condition wherein the tooth is embedded in the alveolus and is locked in by bone, teeth, or other structures, leading to difficulty in eruption. In this study, we present a case report of a 15-year-old female patient with a straight profile, class I skeletal and dental relationship, over retained deciduous teeth, severe anterior crowding in both the arches, and impacted canine in maxillary arch on both the sides and in mandibular arch on the right side. Extraction of deciduous teeth was done prior to fixed appliance therapy. After leveling and alignment using fixed appliance, surgical exposure of impacted canines was done using open flap surgical technique. Canines were brought into occlusion using conventional orthodontic technique. In mandibular arch, space for lingually placed lateral incisor was created using nickel-titanium (NiTi) open coil spring. Results achieved after decrowding and getting impacted canines into normal occlusion are presented.