Prevalence of impacted maxillary canines-an epidemiological study in a region with systematically implemented interceptive treatment

Background: In dentistry, epidemiological studies are important for establishing high-quality care for the individual patient as well as for socio-economic reasons.

Objective: The aim of this epidemiological study was to evaluate the prevalence of impacted maxillary canines in a geographical region in which interceptive treatment is implemented systematically. Furthermore, the aim was to study the age and gender of the patients, and the location and surgical technique used for the impacted maxillary canine.

Method: The study was based on 54 716 adolescents in the Region Västra Götaland, Sweden who were born in the period 1996-98. All patients in the three cohorts who had impacted maxillary canines treated with surgical exposure or surgical removal were identified in the dental record system used in the region.

Results: The prevalence of impacted maxillary canines when interceptive treatment was systematically implemented was 1.1% (N = 601). Overall, the cohorts of patients with impacted canines comprised 65% girls and 35% boys. Most of the canines were palatally impacted and the most common surgical technique was closed exposure.

Conclusion: The prevalence of impacted maxillary canines in a geographical area in which interceptive treatment is systematically implemented is lower than that reported previously. The distributions of impacted canines with respect to gender and location are in accordance with those reported previously in similar studies.