Evaluation of Cone Beam Computed Tomography in Diagnosis and Treatment Plan of Impacted Maxillary Canines

Introduction: Maxillary canines have important roles in facial appearance, development of arch, and functional occlusion. Radiographs are important in evaluating the location and nature of these anomalies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate two types of 2D and 3D imaging technique in diagnosis and treatment of maxillary impacted canines. Methods: Thirty eight patients (50 impacted canines) were enrolled. An oral radiologist assessed all of patients’ panoramic radiographs and then cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) to determine the presence of adjacent teeth root resorption, root dilacerations before dental extraction, dental rotation, and buccolingual localization ofimpacted canine crown and root contact with sinus and nasal cavity.Then using the patient’s radiographs the treatment plan of each impacted canine was determined by an orthodontist. Results: Differences between panoramic radiography and CBCT in diagnosis of root resorption and dental rotation were significant. There was an agreement between panoramic radiographs and CBCT in localization of impacted teeth crown. Only the treatment plans of 20% of impacted canines were different between panoramic radiographs and CBCT and treatment plan of 80% of impacted teeth was similar. Conclusion: These results showed that 2D and 3D images of impacted maxillary canines can produce different diagnoses and treatment plans.