Periodontal status of ectopic canines after orthodontic treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the periodontal health and tooth vitality of palatally impacted and buccal ectopic maxillary canines after completion of orthodontic treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients who had unilateral, palatally impacted canines and 15 patients who had unilateral, buccal ectopic canines comprised the subjects of the study. Clinical and radiographic data was collected by recalling the patients in both groups after a mean period of 3.82 +/- 1.54 years following completion of their orthodontic treatment. In both groups, the contralateral, normally placed canines served as controls. RESULTS: Palatally impacted canines had greater pocket depths, higher gingival levels, higher electric pulp testing scores, and reduced bone levels compared to their contralaterals. Buccal ectopic canines had increased plaque and gingival bleeding index, greater pocket depths, reduced attached gingival width, higher gingival levels, increased clinical crown lengths, and higher electric pulp testing scores compared to their contralaterals. Buccal ectopic canines had lower electric pulp testing scores and higher bone levels compared to palatally impacted canines. CONCLUSION: All ectopic canines had increased plaque and gingival bleeding index, greater pocket depths, reduced attached gingival width, higher gingival levels, increased crown lengths, higher electric pulp testing scores, and reduced bone levels compared to their contralaterals.