Clinical and radiographic assessment of maxillary canine eruption status in a group of 11- to 14-year-old Irish children.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of potentially ectopic maxillary canines and associated dental features in a group of 11- to 14-year-old children.
Participants: Examination took place of a normal dlistribution of Irish schoolchildren age between I11 and 14 years in order to record the number of subjects with indications for radiographic investigation of . potentially ectopic maxillary canines.
Methods: Those subjects identified subsequently underwent radiographic examination and the number of subjects with potentially ectopic maxillary canines was established. Correlations within the latter sub-sample with anomalous or missing laterals, type of occlusion and female:male ratio were investigated.
Results: A total of 480 children were screened. Of the children aged 11 to 14 years, 32 (6.6%) had clinical indications for radiographic examination of potentially ectopic maxillary canines according to the criteria that had been set out. There were 11 maxillary canines, in 10 subjects, that had an unfavourable position for eruption and were considered to be potentially ectopic, and so 1.1% of the maxillary canines reviewed in this study showed a potential ectopic eruption position.
Conclusions: The prevalence of potentially ectopic maxillary canines and associated dental features in an Irish population was found to be similar to those in other countries, and the practice of careful supervision and early diagnosis of any eruption disturbances of the permanent maxillary canines continues to be considered important due to the risks associated with their eruption.