Incidence of impacted mandibular canine and associated pathologies in an orthodontic patient population in Lagos, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND

Mandibular canine impaction is less frequent in our environment with various factors implicated in the aetiology and with several associated pathologies, the advent of the technique of panoramic radiography has helped with the diagnosis of this condition.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to investigate the incidence of impacted mandibular canines and the classification of associated pathology.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of 1250 panoramic radiographs taken of patients who presented to the Orthodontic Unit of Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria between January, 2001 and September, 2008. The clinical data and panoramic radiographs were reviewed and observations on the status of missing permanent mandibular canine, symptoms as well as treatment methods employed were made.

RESULTS

The incidence of mandibular canine impaction was found to be 1.36% in the studied demand population. A total of 17 patients (10 females and 7 males) had impacted mandibular canines. In this study 5 (27.8%) impacted canines were extracted, seven canines (38.9%) were attached to bonded brackets after surgical exposure and traction was applied while six (33.3%) impacted mandibular canines were left in place for periodic observation.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of impacted mandibular canines was found to be high in the subpopulation studied. However, this may not be unrelated with the fact that this is a demand population.