Orthodontic Traction of Impacted Upper Canines Using the VISTA Technique

Upper canines have the longest and most complicated period of tooth development. Because they begin mineralization before the first molars and incisors and take twice as long to completely erupt, they are more susceptible to changes in the normal eruption pathway, leading to the common clinical problem of impaction. The prevalence of impacted upper permanent canines is approximately 1-3% -- more than for any other teeth except the third molars. Palatal impaction is two to three times more common than buccal impaction.