Background

Impacted maxillary canines are among the most frequent eruption disturbances encountered in orthodontic practice and are often associated with other developmental dental anomalies. Their prevalence and eruption patterns vary according to malocclusion type, influencing diagnosis, treatment complexity, and prognosis.

Aim

To evaluate the frequency, distribution, and positional characteristics of impacted maxillary canines and associated anomalies across different sagittal malocclusion groups in young adults from Western Bihar.

Materials and Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted using pretreatment records of 1,000 patients retrieved from the archives of the Patna Dental College and Hospital. Based on sagittal malocclusion (ANB angle), patients were categorized into Class I (n = 500), Class II (n = 326), and Class III (n = 174) malocclusion groups. Impacted maxillary canines and associated anomalies—including transmigration, transposition, and agenesis—were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 25.0, with chi-square and analysis of variance tests applied. A P value <.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

A total of 332 patients exhibited impacted maxillary canines (frequency: 33.2% within the orthodontic cohort). While Class I contributed the highest proportion of cases (40%), the highest within-group frequency was observed in Class III malocclusion (47.7%), followed by Class II (35.6%) and Class I (26.6%) (P < .05). Labial impactions predominated in Class III (75.9%), whereas palatal impactions were more frequent in Class I. Associated anomalies were significantly higher in Class III malocclusion.

Conclusion

The frequency and positional pattern of impacted maxillary canines vary significantly across the malocclusion types studied. Class III malocclusion demonstrates the highest relative risk within the group. Early screening is essential for timely diagnosis and individualized orthodontic intervention, potentially reducing treatment complexity and associated complications.