Dental Features And Treatment Findings Of Impacted Maxillary Central Incisors: A Multicenter Study

Background: Impacted upper central incisors substantially affect esthetics, function, and the self-esteem of patients. This retrospective multicenter study was designed to assess and compare the demographic and radiographic features and treatment findings for patients with impacted upper central incisors in three different countries. Materials and Methods: Diagnostic and treatment records, panoramic radiographs, and lateral cephalograms were retrieved for 74 (32 female) patients (11.24 +/- 2.9 years old), with impacted upper central incisors from the USA, Germany, and Colombia, according to the preset eligibility criteria. Sagittal and vertical angulation and location of the upper impacted central incisors, type of radiographic skeletal malocclusion, surgical procedures, and duration of treatment were investigated. Results: Statistically significant differences between the three groups were found for age (P = 0.003), duration of treatment (P = 0.001), and location of the impacted upper central incisors (P = 0.015). The angulation was significantly bigger for the impacted central incisors compared to the respective normal incisors (P < 0.0001). The age of the patients did not influence the treatment time. The regression model showed that higher height of impaction was associated with a closed surgical procedure (P = 0.046). Conclusions: Patients with impacted incisor treated in three different centers showed differences in terms of age, gender, treatment time, and type of surgical treatment. The surgical access with closed surgery has a direct relationship with a more apical location of the impacted incisor.