Untreated, Impacted Canine Leading to Root Resorption of the Central Incisor: A Case Report of Orthodontic Treatment With Canine Substitution.

Among impacted teeth, maxillary canines are the most frequently impacted after third molars. Untreated impacted canines may lead to complications such as root resorption of adjacent teeth. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment of impacted canines are very important. The treatment methods, such as creating space for eruption, extraction of the deciduous canine, and surgical exposure with orthodontic traction, should be promptly employed to guide the canine to erupt into its normal position. We reported a case of an 11-year-old girl with maxillary canine impaction leading to root resorption of the central incisor. Unfortunately, a tendency toward canine impaction had been detected when she was six years old, but timely intervention was not provided, ultimately resulting in root resorption and extraction of the central incisor. Through orthodontic extraction camouflage treatment, the lateral incisor ultimately substituted for the central incisor, achieving a relatively satisfactory treatment outcome. This case once again underscores the importance of early treatment for impacted canines. But when the incisor root resorption is too severe to retain the tooth, orthodontic treatment with canine substitution is also an acceptable, compromised treatment option.