Orthodontic Correction of Impacted and Transposed Upper Canines

The canines have the highest reported incidence of dental transposition - most commonly with the first premolar, followed by the lateral incisor. Several authors have described cases in which canine transpositions were resolved or the teeth were aligned in their transposed positions. To our knowledge, however, no one has reported treating a patient in whom bilaterally impacted upper canines were transposed with the lateral incisors and were also associated with severe root resorption of adjacent teeth. Canine transposition is one of the most common causes of tooth resorption. Typically, an upper lateral-incisor root is affected by ectopic eruption of the adjacent canine, although central incisors can also be involved. The apical and middle thirds of the incisor roots are most likely to be resorbed.