Vacuum-Formed Retainer For Management Of Impacted Canine Extraction Socket

Impacted maxillary canines frequently impede implant placement, necessitating extraction before implant surgery. Conventional surgical removal via a palatal approach often carries risks of postoperative bleeding and infections. In this case, vacuum-formed resin (VFR) was utilized for surgical site management to mitigate such complications. A 25-year-old female presented with an unerupted maxillary canine (#23) and a fractured mandibular molar (#63) with a defective restoration. CBCT demonstrated #23 mesioangularly impacted palatally and distal to #21/#22 roots, with its crown adjacent to the apices of #21/#22, the nasopalatine nerve, and a well-defined periapical radiolucency. The root apex approached the nasal floor. Management included extraction of #63 and defective restoration removal, followed by palatal flap elevation and minimally invasive extraction of #23. The VFR was applied for hemostasis and space preservation. At 10-day follow-up, primary intention healing was observed, with the VFR adjusted to maintain space for future implant treatment. Impacted canine extraction is technically challenging due to limited mouth opening and patient positioning. A palatal flap approach optimized surgical access and reduced operative time but caused significant soft tissue trauma, increasing postoperative swelling and infection risks. VFR was used to compress edema, control hemorrhage, and preserve the space, tailored to the patient’s anatomy and treatment goals. In this case, the patient reported no intraoperative discomfort, and the application of VFR in maxillary palatal surgery enabled optimal surgical site management, thereby minimizing postoperative complications.