[The incidence of uni- and bilateral impacted maxillary canines and their position in dental arch depending on gender and age].

INTRODUCTION Impacted maxillary canines are common problem, which orthodontists often deal with. Definition of its position is not always easy and unequivocal. The aim of this study was evaluation of incidence of uni- and bilateral impacted maxillary canines and their position in dental arch depending on gender and age. MATERIAL AND METHODS The records of 134 patients' documentation and panoramic views with impacted maxillary canine (IMC) were studied. Study group consisted of 96 women and 38 men in age ranging from 10 to 60 years. First group consisted of 73 patients with unilateral IMC in age ranging from 10 to 60 years. Second group consisted of 61 patients with bilateral IMC in age ranging from 10 to 25 years. Palatal-vestibular position of IMC and their syntopie was defined basing on clinical and radiological study depending on gender and age. RESULTS The results were presented in tables. In the first group (patients with unilateral impacted maxillary canine) 44 (60.3%) canines were localized in palatal position, 15 (20.6%) in vestibular position and 14 (19.2%) in axis position. In this group mesial syntopie was found in 33 (45.2%) patients, distal syntopie in 4 (5.5%) patients and vertical position was found in 36 (49.3%) patients. In the second group (patients with bilateral impacted maxillary canines) palatal position of impacted canines was found the most frequently. It constituted above half of patients of the second group. Vestibular position of canines was found in 11.66%, and axis position of canines in 13% of patients. Position's compatibility of canines with mesial syntopie was found in almost half of patients in this group. CONCLUSIONS The evaluation of position of maxillary impacted canine allows to precise clinical study and thorough analysis of panoramic view. Impacted maxillary canine is more often localized in palatal position and was more often found in women than men. Left canine was more often impacted than the right one in unilateral impacted maxillary canine group.