Transmigrated Kissing Canines: A Case Report of Bilateral Impacted Mandibular Canines

Abstract

Mandibular canines, also known as the “cornerstone” of the dental arch, are important factors for dental arch stability, masticatory function, and maintaining natural facial expressions and aesthetics. Due to their eruption pattern and sequence, canines are prone to impactions with a 20 times higher frequency for maxillary canines than mandibular canines. Bilateral impactions of permanent mandibular canines are rare occurrences with a low incidence of 0.12%. Migration of teeth is a frequently documented ectopia. However, pre-eruptive migration across the midline of the arch is an unusual occurrence known as transmigration. Hereby the authors presents a 29-year-old female patient who reported with pain and swelling of the anterior mandible. On examination, it was revealed to be associated with bilaterally impacted permanent mandibular canines associated with transmigration. The case was managed by surgical extraction of both impacted teeth leading to resolution of the pain and swelling.

Keywords

• canine teeth
• cuspids
• mandible
• oral surgery
• unerupted teeth