A register-based study of eruption patterns in the maxillary permanent canines and dental developmental abnormalities. Features seen in panoramic radiographs and treatment needs in permanent canines

Thesis event information

Date and time of the thesis defence

Place of the thesis defence

Markku Larmas auditorium (H1091) in Dentopolis (Aapistie 3, Oulu)

Topic of the dissertation

A register-based study of eruption patterns in the maxillary permanent canines and dental developmental abnormalities. Features seen in panoramic radiographs and treatment needs in permanent canines

Doctoral candidate

Doctor of Dental Surgery Jenni Ristaniemi

Faculty and unit

University of Oulu Graduate School, Faculty of Medicine, Research Unit of Population Health

Subject of study

Dentistry, Oral Development and Orthodontics

Opponent

Professor Janna Waltimo-Sirén, University of Turku

Custos

Docent Raija Lähdesmäki, University of Oulu

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Monitoring of the erupting maxillary canines in relation to dental development and the existing space conditions is important

Permanent maxillary canines have a long, complex eruption pathway with eruption disturbances. If eruption disturbance in a canine can be diagnosed early, simple and cost-effective treatment is usually sufficient. Eruption problems of the canines have been linked to dental developmental abnormalities called “Dental Anomaly Patterns” (DAP).

The aim of this research was to describe the variations in maxillary canine eruption patterns seen in panoramic radiographs (PTG) and to put these into perspective with regard to the treatment needed. A second aim was to describe the occurrence of features involved in DAP and to investigate their relation to the features of maxillary canines. The material for this register-based research consisted of 1454 cross-sectional PTGs of the developing dentition of children in Eastern Finland and longitudinal treatment information on 1962 maxillary canines in the same children after PTG.

A tenth of the canines needed treatment that included interceptive procedures. The most common option for treated canines was treatment for crowding. Overlapping and a large inclination angle of the canine were clearly associated with canine treatment needs. During natural eruption, overlapping and pronounced inclination of canines were more often seen in the earlier stages of dental development.

Some kind of feature involved in DAP was detected in almost a third of the children examined, the most common feature being infraocclusion of the primary molars. Absent teeth, a peg-shaped maxillary lateral incisor and delayed dental age occurred more often together, and co-occurrence of transposition with absent teeth was also found. Early treatment for a canine had been carried out twice as often for children with DAP features than for those without any such features. Delayed dental age was associated with canine early treatment needs.

Based on the findings, monitoring of the erupting maxillary canines in relation to dental development and the existing space conditions proved to be important after the first mixed dentition stage. According to Finnish legislation, oral check-ups for school children should be done at least in the 1st and 5th grades. The dental developmental stage in this age group of children varies markedly emphasising that the screening of occlusal development is placed for those who need it. Only adequate monitoring based on the developmental stage of the dentition will enable early treatment to be provided for maxillary canine eruption problems. If any dental developmental abnormality (DAP feature) is diagnosed during occlusal development, a precise follow-up is needed to diagnose conditions occurring later.
Last updated: 23.1.2024