[The impacted canine. Review of 212 cases. General principles of treatment]. / La canine incluse. Mise au point à propos de 212 observations. Principes généraux de traitement.

The authors have studied the localization, the functional and radiological signs, the complications, the etiologies and the treatment, according to 212 cases of impacted canines. The upper impacted canines are more frequent and women are more concerned, it can be unilateral as well as bilateral. If the mentioned etiologies are debatable and if the functional signs are poor, the complications are frequent: infectious, mechanical, tumorous or algesic. The therapeutic approach should primarily consider the evolutive potential of the tooth. As a matter of fact, before undergoing any surgical or any complicated surgical orthodontic treatment, the result of our study shows that the eventual absence of any ankylosis image has to be precised on successive profile headfilms taken with an interval of 6 to 12 months. If any evolution is seen, it would be enough to remove the mucous obstacle and then bring the tooth to a normal position by some mechanical means. In the adverse case, the prognosis won't be favorable and leads to either abstention or a dubious therapeutics.