Introduction: Impacted maxillary canines are the second most frequently impacted teeth after the third molar. This is most likely due to an extended development period and the long, tortuous path of eruption. Precise localization of impacted maxillary canines has been a challenging task for
orthodontists, radiologists as well as oral surgeons.
Objectives: The objectives of the study were to compare the accuracy of vertical tube shift technique and true maxillary occlusal view in the localization of impacted maxillary canines and to confirm the location of the impacted maxillary canine by surgical intervention.
Materials and Methods: The study included prospective clinical and radiographic analysis followed by appropriate surgical intervention of 20 impacted maxillary canines in 18 patients. The Radiographic Examination included: Vertical tube shift technique – using two intraoral periapical radiographs and Maxillary true /vertex occlusal view.
Results: According to kappa analysis, true maxillary occlusal view was more accurate for determining position of cusp tip of canine (91.6%), position of root apex of canine (87.5), relationship of the canine cusp tip and root of adjacent incisor (59.3%), Curvature of root (76.9%). Paired t-test for comparison of length of the crown of canine (cusp tip to CEJ) revealed – 1.027 differences in mean values of True maxillary occlusal view and surgical intervention. Distance of canine cusp tip from the mesioincisal edge of adjacent tooth paired t-test for this comparison revealed -0.094 differences in mean values of True maxillary occlusal view and surgical intervention;
Conclusion: The true maxillary occlusal view was superior to vertical tube shift technique in 6 out of 8 parameters studied, although in 2 of the parameters i.e. length of the crown of the canine and curvature / dilacerations of the root apex, Vertical tube shift technique provided better results.
