Impacted Permanent Mandibular Canines: A Radiographic Study Using Orthopantomograms

Impacted permanent mandibular canines can result in many complications and their early diagnosis is important. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of impacted permanent mandibular canines in Karbala City/ Iraqi population. In this retrospective study, a total of 2840 orthopantomographs (OPG) were included in the research. The OPGs were taken routinely as a pre-treatment diagnostic purposes in the patients attending different dental clinics in Karbala.  The prevalence, gender, type of impaction, side, angulation, depth, and the associated dental anomalies and pathologies were recorded. A total of 38 impacted permanent mandibular canines were found in 29 of the 2840 OPGs with 1.02% prevalence, with 12 being in males (41.38%) and 17 in females (58.62%). Impacted permanent mandibular canines were bilateral in only nine OPGs (31.03%), 55.26% were located on the right side, the vertical was the most dominant angulation (47.36%), and 50% were classified as Level A. Regarding the dental anomalies, 34.21% of impacted permanent mandibular canines were seen associated with impacted upper permanent canine, and 28.95% were associated with retention of lower deciduous canines, 10.53% for transposition, 10.53% for retention of deciduous molars, 7.89% for dilaceration, and 7.89% for transmigration. External root resorption of adjacent tooth found in 17.24%, followed by periodontal disease (13.79%), dental caries of the adjacent tooth (10.34%), dental tumor (6.89%), and the least was dentigerous cyst (3.45%). Impacted permanent mandibular canines prevalence was 1.02%. Early detection through radiographic evaluation is important for optimal management.