ASSESSMENT OF ROOT DILACERATION IN IMPACTED MAXILLARY CANINE VERSUS FULLY ERUPTED CANINE USING CONE BEAM COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Introduction: Abnormal angulation or curvature formed in the root or crown of a tooth is defined as dilaceration. Dilaceration is of great importance to orthodontics because dilacerated roots are harder to move orthodontically, have a higher risk of impaction or external resorption, and impede favorable insertion of mini screws. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate incidence of root dilaceration in impacted maxillary canine and fully erupted canine using cone beam computed tomography. Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of 90 cone beam computed tomography scans presenting with unilateral or bilateral impacted maxillary canines were evaluated ranging in age from 15 to 30 years both sexes included that were selected and collected from the department of radiology, Faculty of Dentistry Suez Canal University. Prevalence of dilaceration subclassified to root curvature and apical hook based on severity in canines and adjacent teeth was determined in CBCT records. The root length of maxillary impacted canines was measured for further morphologic evaluations. Results: The results of the present study showed: Impacted canines had a significantly higher prevalence of root dilaceration than the control group. A significantly higher prevalence of root dilaceration was found in adjacent lateral incisors of the BICs subgroup than that of the control group. Adjacent premolars had a higher prevalence of dilacerated roots in the PICs than the control group. A significantly higher prevalence of curvature and hook were found in BICs, and PICs roots compared with the control group. Both types of impacted canines had significantly shorter roots than the control group. Conclusion: BICs and PICs have a higher tendency to present root dilaceration and shorter roots. Unlike BICs, adjacent teeth to PICs were more frequently observed to have root dilaceration