Objective: The objective of this paper is to compare the orthodontic/surgical treatment of impacted maxillary cannines in an adolescent and an adult person in order to assess similarity and differences.
Subjects and Method: The treatment of an adolescent (15 years of age) and a 21-year old female patient was conducted in the range of the precise posioning diagnosis of the impacted canines, opening the required space for putting them in place, assessment of traction direction, good anchorage in dental arches, and the appropriate surgical procedure, having in mind the future periodontal status of the treated teeth. Both patients (coincidence) had a similar unfavourable position of the canines on the right-hand side of the palate with crown tips oriented towards the median line. This required a serious surgical-orthodontic treatment with a frequent change of traction direction. The average therapy time was 16.5 months. The vestibulary malpositioned tooth in the oposite side of the adolescent arch errupted spontaneously after the space had been opened while the palatally positioned canine of the adult person with the crown positioned towards the occlusal plane required a shorter treatment.
Result: The treatment resulted in good levelling, good occlusion and the satisfactory role of the canine in the facial esthetics with a good periodontal status.
Conclsuion: The severity of impaction determines the treatment method and time.