Periodontal conditions following surgical and orthodontic treatment of palatally impacted maxillary canines--a follow-up study.

This follow-up study reports on the periodontal status 1 to 18 years after the completion of orthodontic treatment of unilateral palatally impacted maxillary canines and their adjacent incisors and premolars. Registrations were performed on 42 patients, 19 to 59 years old (mean 35 years) at investigation. An orthodontic pin with eyelet had been placed after exploration of the canine and, in some cases, bone removal. A flap had been raised and resutured after bone removal in 11 cases. The results showed greater mesial probing depth of the canines on the treated side, on the adjacent lateral incisors distolingually, and on the first premolars mesiolingually. Marginal bone level was found to be lower on the distal aspect of the treated canines and adjacent laterals. In general, the results showed a good gingival and periodontal status with slight differences between treated and untreated sides.