Two Bilateral Transposed and Infraosseus Impacted Maxillary Canines: A Two-Step Combined Periodontal and Orthodontic Approach

An extremely rare case presenting two bilateral transposed and infraosseus impacted maxillary canines was treated with a combined two-step periodontal and orthodontic technique. The canines were transposed mesially and buccally to the lateral incisors, close to the midline and in a horizontal position. Direct orthodontically guided traction of the teeth toward the center of the alveolar ridge was not possible due to the roots of the lateral incisors. The procedure consisted of two distinct treatment phases for each side preceded by an initial orthodontic treatment to achieve the palatal inclination of the roots of the lateral incisors, creating a parallel buccal inclination of the crowns. This approach provided a submucosal buccal space into which the canines could be moved buccally and distally, avoiding any contact with the roots of the lateral incisors. In the first phase, the transposed canines were guided distally. When the canines, still in a submucosal position, were freed from those obstacles, the second phase was begun. The teeth were exposed, permitting the orthodontically guided traction toward the center of the ridge, simulating a proper physiologic eruption alignment pattern in the arch. The combined two-step periodontal and orthodontic approach used to treat two bilateral transposed and infraosseus impacted maxillary canines was extremely successful, resulting in adequate alignment in the arch associated with a physiologic sulcus depth, adequate keratinized tissue width, and absence of marginal recession at the end of the active treatment and 5 years postsurgery.