RADIOLOGICAL FORCASTING AND ASSESMENT OF PERIODONTAL TISSUES AT THE END OF ORTHO-SURGICAL TREATMENT OF IMPACTED MAXILLARY CANINES

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of the pre-treatment radiographic assessment and the post-treatment periodontal status of intra-osseous impacted maxillary canines. Material and Methods: A study population of 60 patients (76 canines) was evaluated at the end of the overall surgical-orthodontic treatment consisting of a combined surgical (flap) and orthodontic (direct traction to the center of the ridge) approach. The pre-treatment panoramic radiographs and CT scans were evaluated in order to assess location (palatal or labial), intra-osseous depth, thickness of overlying bone tissue. Periodontal tissues were evaluated after the treatment was finished. Pocket depth (PD) and keratinized tissue width (KT) were evaluated. Multilevel statistical analysis was used to evaluate post-treatment periodontal variables at patient, tooth and site levels. Results: No significant differences in PD or KT were found at the end of surgical-orthodontic treatment with respect to age, gender, site of impaction or pre-treatment radiographic position of the impacted canine. The only statistically, but not clinically, significant difference (about 0.5 mm) was found for the KT that was greater for the palatally impacted canines than for the labially impacted ones. Conclusions: Measured on the pre-treatmentpanoramic radiographs represent prognostic indicators for treatment planning of orthodontically re-positioned canines and are vital for evaluation before starting the treatment and determines the success of ortho-surgical treatment. Key words: impacted canines, surgical-orthodontic treatment, periodontal tissues evaluation