Surgical treatment of transmigration of mandibular canine

Abstract

The occurrence of canine impaction is not a rare phenomenon, but transmigration of the tooth across the midline is a less common event. The finding is normally asymptomatic and the etiologic factors involved in the transmigration process are still unclear. Objective: To present a clinical case of surgical treatment of a transmigrated mandibular canine. Case report: A 17-year-old male patient presented to the dental clinic to remove an unerupted canine. Clinical and radiological examinations led to the diagnosis of a transmigrated canine in the mental region. Surgical removal was the treatment of choice and further radiographs were needed to complement the clinical exam and to determine the location of the tooth precisely for the surgical procedure. Postoperative period was uneventful. Canine transmigration is a rare finding and symptoms are usually absent. Conclusion: An early detection is important to plan the treatment and mainly to avoid future complications.