The surgical uncovering and orthodontic positioning of unerupted maxillary canines.

1. The presence of the maxillary canine is vital to the function and esthetics of the dental complex. The availability of this tooth must be carefully considered during an orthodontic diagnosis. Lack of space is the most common cause of canine impaction. Other contributing factors are that this tooth has the longest period of developmenent and that it is bigger longer, and travels farther while erupting than any other tooth. 2. Proper management of unerupted canines is a challenge to the dental practitioner. Maxillary canines are found impacted to both the buccal and the lingual. Palatal impactions are much more common than labial impactions, but, of the two, labial impactions are more difficult to manage. 3. An appropriate surgical procedure which opens to the crowns of unerupted teeth is a key to uneventful orthodontic positioning of these teeth. Packing the follicular space with baseplate gutta-percha and keeping the crown open to the oral cavity with surgical WondrPak is an effective method of making the tooth erupt into the oral cavity. 4. Modern preformed bands and improved cements make the placement of attachment on malposed teeth relatively easy. Direct bonding techniques are also of value in the management of unerupted teeth. 5. It is practical to move teeth orthodontically from seemingly impossible positions into ideal alignment. Such teeth will function normally, and no evidence will be left of their original position or of their having been moved over long distances.