Surgical methods to uncover maxillary impacted canines

The following is a summary of an article done by Kokich that had shown the different techniques to uncover the maxillary impacted canines whether it was labially or palatally impacted.

Labial Impaction :

3 Techniques to uncover labial impactions  :

• Excisional Uncovering.
• Apical Repositioning Flap.
• Closed Eruption technique.

Evaluate 4 criteria in labially impacted canines :

1. Assess labiolingual position of canine :

   • If it is labially positioned use any of the 3 techniques because little bone pesent labially.
   • If it is in the center of the alveolous use Closed Eruption technique.
   • Other methods are difficult to perform because extensive bone might need to be removed occlusally.

2. Assess vertical position relative to mucogingival junction.

   • Apical to Mucoginigival junction :
     • Deep to MGJ      :   Closed Eruption
     • Just above MGJ  : Apically repositioned flap mainly / Closed technique can be used too.
   • Coronal to Mucogingival Junction use Any of the 3 techniques.