Prevalence of canine impaction and it’s relation with other occlusal characteristics

Background and aim:  The maxillary canine is the second most frequently impacted tooth following third molars. The etiology of the impacted canine is obscure, but probably multifactorial. There are some evidences that patients with a few certain features of occlusion may be at higher risk to the development of impacted canine. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between occurrence of canine impaction and other aspects of occlusion. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted with patients aged ۱۴ years or older who consequently presented to Orthodontics clinic, School of Dentistry, Hamedan. The patients with impacted canine were examined for occlusal condition clinically . Data were recorded and analyzed statistically.Results: ۲۸ males and ۶۹ females withcanine impaction were found among ۶۰۰ evaluated patients. Of ۹۷ patients with impacted canine, ۴۸.۵% had occlusal relation of Class I, ۲۱.۶% of Class II D۱, ۱۸.۶% of Class II D۲, and ۱۱.۳% of Class III. The statistical analysis showed that there is no relation of impacted canine to occlusion, as well as to crowding, agenesis, anterior or posterior cross bite (P> ۰.۰۵), but canine impaction presented a significant correlation to smaller size of lateral incisors and spacing (P< ۰.۰۵). Conclusion: The study concluded that there was anassociation between canine impaction and the small size of lateral incisor and spacing.