Inclusione dei canini mascellari permanenti e riassorbimento radicolare degli incisivi: prevenzione e aspetti medico-legali

Objectives. To discuss the risk of incisor root resorption in the presence of ectopic eruption of the permanent maxillary canines. Discussion. Early detection of an anomalously positioned maxillary canine is essential. To this end, patients should undergo a comprehensive clinical and radiographic assessment starting at the age 8 years. Results and conclusions. Eruption of the ectopic permanent canines can be facilitated with early extraction of the primary maxillary canines (and possibly the primary first molars). This approach can prevent impaction (which requires more complicated, prolonged, and biologically expensive treatment) and limit the risk of root resorption involving the adjacent teeth (an event that causes irreversible damage and may give rise to medicolegal litigation).