Sagittal, vertical and transversal dimensions of the maxillary complex in patients with ectopic maxillary canines

Structured Abstract Authors - Larsen HJ, S circle divide rensen HB, Artmann L, Christensen IJ, Kjaer I Objectives - To analyse the craniofacial maxillary complex in cases with labially and palatally located ectopic canines, subgrouped accordingly: Group I: no deviations in the dentition; Group IIa: deviations in the maxillary incisors only; Group IIb: deviations in the dentition in general. Setting and Sample Population - Sixty nine patients (mean age 13 years 6 months) with palatally or labially located ectopic canines. Material and Methods - Profile radiographs and dental casts were analysed. The patients were subgrouped according to a previous registration of dental deviations registered radiographically. Maxillary cross-arch transversal width was analysed on dental casts. Sagittal and vertical dimensions were registered cephalometrically on profile radiographs. Results - In the patient sample the maxillary cross-arch transversal width (from first maxillary molar left to first maxillary molar right), was significantly larger than the normal mean (0.65 mm, 95% Cl: 0.02-1.28, p = 0.043). The sagittal length N-S was significantly shorter (-0.97, 95% Cl:-1.72--0.22, p = 0.002). The vertical length ANS-N length was also significantly shorter (-0.79, 95% Cl:-1.65--0.02, p = 0.047). The remaining variables were non-significant. Tests for interaction between groups (I, IIa and IIb) and palatal/labial ectopic location did not demonstrate significance. Conclusion - In patients with ectopic maxillary canines, the maxillary complex is shorter sagittally as well as vertically, while it is wider transversally.