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Evaluation of the periodontal status of palatally impacted maxillary canines after exposure using a modified window technique.

AIM
To evaluate the periodontal status of surgically exposed maxillary canines after their alignment.


PATIENTS AND METHODS
Twenty consecutive patients with one palatally impacted maxillary canine and one fully erupted synergist were selected. The impacted canines were surgically exposed with a modified window technique, an attachment was bonded, and the teeth were extruded and aligned. Six months after therapy, the periodontal status of both canines was evaluated by registering the following parameters: (1) keratinized gingiva level, (2) attached gingiva level, (3) sulcus probing depth, (4) length of clinical crown, (5) quality of marginal tissue, (6) bleeding on probing, and (7) height of alveolar bone. The data were analyzed with the Mann-Whitney test.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference between the periodontal status of the two canine groups concerning the keratinized gingival level, the attached gingival level, the sulcus probing depth, and the length of the clinical crown. The quality of marginal tissue and bleeding on probing were acceptable. However, the level of alveolar bone was significantly lower in the surgically exposed group.


CONCLUSION
The periodontal health of impacted maxillary canines that were exposed using a modified window technique and subsequently orthodontically aligned is acceptable. The only concern is a somewhat reduced alveolar bone level.