Canine transposition--approaches to treatment.

Transposition, an infrequently occurring dental anomaly, almost always involves the canines. Transposition occurs in either jaw, bilaterally or unilaterally, and in most cases the primary canine is still present. The canine may transpose with the lateral incisor or the first premolar. In the maxilla, transposition with the first premolar occurs more frequently. In the mandible, as far as can be determined, the canine always transposes with the lateral incisor. Several causative factors have been discussed. When cases of incipient transposition are detected early enough they can sometimes be treated interceptively. When seen at later stages, the positions of the root apexes are important for a decision about where to move the transposed teeth.