ASSOCIATION BETWEEN MAXILLARY CANINE IMPACTIONS AND PALATAL DIMENSIONS: A CBCT BASED STUDY

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the relationship between maxillary canine impactions and palatal dimensions using three-dimensional imagining technique.

Methods: After obtaining ethical approval from the Ethical Review Board of Margalla Institute of Health Sciences, Rawalpindi, a comparative cross-sectional study was conducted.  It included a total of 134 CBCT scans, comprising 67 patients with palatally impacted maxillary canines (Group 1) and 67 patients with no imapactions in the maxillary arch (Group 2). Intermolar width, interpremolar width and palatal surface area were measured. Axial view on Planmeca Romexis software was used to take linear measurements, whereas palatal surface area was measured after segmentation and export of STL models to 3D Slicer. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 26.0. Independent sample t-test was used to compare groups keeping p ≤ 0.05 statistically significant.

Results: Group 1 comprising impacted canines showed statistically significant reduced palatal dimensions. Mean intermolar width was 46.06 ± 3.05 mm in the impacted group compared to 49.21 ± 2.09 mm in controls (p < 0.001). Similarly, interpremolar width was 34.87 ± 1.95 mm versus 37.12 ± 2.01 mm (p < 0.001), and palatal surface area was 1502.6 ± 121.5 mm² versus 1639.4 ± 130.8 mm² (p < 0.001). Both genders with maxillary canine impactions had decreased palatal surface areas than the control group. Conclusion: Maxillary canine impactions are strongly related with lower intermolar and interpremolar widths, as well as palatal surface area. These findings highlight the significance of early detection and management of transverse disparities in reducing the incidence of impactions.