Imaging Modalities for Locating Impacted Maxillary Canines: A Critical Literature Review

Marcela Maria Costa Borges *

Department of Dentistry, Paulo Picanço College, Division of Radiology and Dental Imaging, Brazil.

Uiara Braga dos Santos

Department of Dentistry, Federal University of Ceará, Division of Radiology and Dental Brazil Imaging, Brazil.

Lúcio Mitsuo Kurita

Department of Dentistry, Federal University of Ceará, Division of Radiology and Dental Brazil Imaging, Brazil.

Fábio Wildson Gurgel Costa

Department of Dentistry, Federal University of Ceará, Division of Radiology and Dental Brazil Imaging, Brazil.

Diego Martins de Paula

Department of Dentistry, Paulo Picanço College, Prosthetics and Implant Division, Brazil.

Diego Santiago de Mendonça

Department of Dentistry, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Traumatology Division, Paulo Picanço College, Brazil.

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.


Abstract

Aims: To do an integrative review of the literature on the types of imaging exams used to determine the position of the impacted maxillary canines (IMC), with emphasis on the analysis of panoramic radiographs (PR) and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Methodology: A search was carried out on the Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus and VHL databases, which resulted in 395 articles; 42 duplicates were removed, totalizing 353 articles. After reading the titles and abstracts, 281 were excluded for not meeting the eligibility criteria. 56 articles were selected for full reading, and 5 articles were included for data synthesis.

Results: The authors used PR, CBCT, periapical and occlusal radiographs, which were evaluated by orthodontists, surgeons and radiologists. Different assessments were identified regarding the position of the canine and the presence of root resorption, depending on the imaging examination.

Conclusion: The possibility of identifying root resorption with PR is controversial among authors; CBCT images were considered a more accurate examination method compared to two-dimensional images.

Keywords: Cone-beam computed tomography, impacted tooth, orthodontists, panoramic radiography, planning techniques


How to Cite

Marcela Maria Costa Borges, Uiara Braga dos Santos, Lúcio Mitsuo Kurita, Fábio Wildson Gurgel Costa, Diego Martins de Paula, and Diego Santiago de Mendonça. 2025. “Imaging Modalities for Locating Impacted Maxillary Canines: A Critical Literature Review”. Archives of Current Research International 25 (8):262–270. https://doi.org/10.9734/acri/2025/v25i81415.