Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Evaluation of the Positions of Unerupted Maxillary Canines with Incisor Root Resorption

Purpose: To establish a new coordinate system using the incisive canal and incisive foramen in cases confirmed to have root resorption in the maxillary incisor region by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) to investigate the positions of the central and lateral incisor roots and erupting maxillary canine tooth crowns in the horizontal plane. Methods: Nine patients (two males; mean age: 10.5 years old) with suspected incisor root resorption due to erupting maxillary canines on panoramic X-ray images and in whom incisor root resorption was confirmed on CBCT images were evaluated. A control group of 12 patients with a supernumerary tooth on one side (three males; mean age: 8.6 years old) was also examined. X, Y, and Z-axes were defined, and the positions of the centers of the central incisor root (U1) and lateral incisor root (U2) and the canine cusp (U3) were examined, along with alveolar process width and length. Results: In the control group, U1, U2, and U3 were located within a certain range without overlap, while, in the incisor root resorption group, U3 overlapped with U1 and U2 and tended to deviate centrally. U2 tended to be located further posteriorly than U3. The anteroposterior diameter of the alveolar process was 1.2 mm shorter in the incisor root resorption group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The risk of incisor root resorption accompanying canine eruption can be evaluated early by investigating the canine position on a horizontal plane established on the upper anterior tooth dentition CT images with a coordinate system using the incisive canal and incisive foramen.