Eruption of the permanent upper canine: A radiologic study

Department of Pediatric Dentistry
Lutheran Medical Center

Resident’s Name: Craig Elice Date: 4/3/2009
Article title: Eruption of the permanent upper canine: A radiologic study.
Author(s): Fernandez E., Bravo LA. Canteras M.
Journal: Am. J. Orthod. 113 (4)
Volume (number): 414-20
Date: April 1998
Major topic: Eruption path of permanent upper cuspids
Type of Article: Retrospective Research article
Main Purpose: This study analyzed the eruption of the upper canines in terms of inclination and relation to the lateral incisor.
Materials and Methods: Panoramic radiographs of 305 children with a range in age of 4-12 years of age were studied in terms of canine inclination (CI), relation of the canine to the lateral incisor (RCLI), and development of the lateral incisor (DLI). Canine inclination was determined by an angle from a line connecting suborbital points on a panorex. Greater than 90 degrees indicates mesial inclination towards the lateral incisor. Relation of the canine to the lateral indicated either overlap of the crown of the cuspid to the lateral root or not., and lastly the root development of the lateral.
Findings: Canine inclination was measured in two groups, before root formation began, and angle at emergence of the tooth. CI was 91 degrees before root formation of the lateral incisor and reduced to 88 degrees at emergence. RCLI was analyzed and it was found that up to age 6 overlapping was significantly more frequent, then at age 7, differences were no longer seen, and after 8,the cuspid moved distally away from the root of the lateral. Therefore an incomplete DLI was more related to a mesial RCLI while a complete DLI was related to a distal RCLI.. It is thought the DLI is a good reference for defining when radiographic overlapping of the crown with the root of the lateral indicates a true sign of altered cuspid eruption.
Key points/Summary : Overlapping of the canine and lateral incisor in a panorex when the incisor has completed development may be a sign of an eruption problem, which may necessitate preventive treatment such as the extraction of the primary cuspids
Assessment of article: Offers good guidelines for the pediatric dentist in determining the need to extract primary cuspids..