Posttreatment assessment of surgically exposed and orthodontically aligned impacted maxillary canines.

The records of 96 consecutively treated patients, with a total of 110 exposed maxillary canines, were reviewed after orthodontic alignment of the exposed teeth. In view of the high degree of clinical and patient satisfaction with the results, a random sample of 25 patients, with a total of 30 exposed canines, were critically assessed. The assessment involved scoring for clinical impression, mobility, gingival condition and pocketing, oral hygiene, vitality, and radiographic appearances. The results indicate that the technique of surgical exposure and orthodontic alignment of ectopic maxillary canines provides a satisfactory method of treatment.