Surgical exposure of impacted canines: Open or closed surgery

The methods for exposing impacted canines are outlined and the relative merits of using a closed versus open surgical procedure are discussed in relation to the projected long-term prognosis and appearance of the treated outcome. These surgical modalities have a wide range of variations designed for individual circumstances, each of which has advantages in specific cases. Similarly, orthodontic biomechanic protocols vary depending on the 3-dimensional location of the impacted tooth in the maxilla. Each of these factors has an influence on the final outcome. Attempts to provide answers showing a preference for one surgical technique over another using a prospective randomized clinical trial would be difficult in the face of such a wide spectrum of factors.