Surgical and orthodontic management of impacted maxillary canines

Although the mechanical management of impacted teeth is a routine task for most orthodontists, certain impactions can be frustrating, and the esthetic outcome can be unpredictable if the surgeon uncovers the impacted tooth improperly. When referring a patient to have an impacted tooth uncovered, the orthodontist might assume incorrectly that the surgeon knows which surgical procedure to use. However, if not instructed properly, the surgeon could select an inappropriate technique, leaving the orthodontist with the difficult if not sometimes lengthy and challenging task of erupting the impacted tooth into the dental arch.