[The orthodontic classification of impacted canines with special reference to the age at treatment, the angulation and dynamic occlusion].

The literature regards the surgical-orthodontic treatment of ectopic canine as being the optimal therapy. This treatment, however, often takes a long time and disturbances in the functional occlusion often occur after treatment is ended. For this reason it was decided to evaluate the treatment's success taking into consideration age at time of treatment, angulation, and functional occlusion. The post-treatment examinations of 66 patients up to five years after treatment reveal above all a correlation between treatment success and age at the time treatment begins. In addition patients with class II/2 and tooth aplasia were identified as constituting a risk group. These malocclusions, therefore, are a sign that there is a risk of ectopic canines. The occlusion type in laterotrusion movement provides group guidance. Beginning treatment after age 25 years should be critically evaluated, because the treatment period is prolonged.