Palatally displaced maxillary canines: factors influencing duration and cost of treatment.

The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess the relationship between the initial position of palatally displaced canines (PDCs) on panoramic radiographs and the duration of the orthodontic treatment and further to estimate the costs of the treatment. Data from panoramic radiographs and patient records of 66 consecutive patients (mean age 14.9 ± 1.7 years) with PDC were analysed. The initial position of the canine, the distance between the canine cusp tip and the occlusal plane, and the inclination of the canine were significantly associated with treatment duration both unadjusted and adjusted for background characteristics. The average estimated cost of the treatment of PDC was €3200 per case. The total annual cost for treatment of PDC in Sweden may therefore be estimated at €600,0000. In this study, duration of treatment averaged 17 months for canines displaced in impaction zone 1 or 2, 2.6 [95% confidence interval (CI) -1.0 to 6.2] months longer for those in impaction zone 3, and 7.6 (95% CI 4.1-11.1) months longer for canines displaced in impaction zone 4 or 5. This information makes it easier, through study of the panoramic radiograph, to estimate the duration of treatment and to give patients more precise information about the expected length of their treatment.