Transmigration of Mandibular Canines: A Report of Six Cases and a Review of the Literature

Abstract

The transmigration of a mandibular canine is a rare phenomenon, the etiology of which is not clear. The literature on this rare condition is reviewed, and six cases of transmigrated mandibular canines are presented. Panoramic radiographic examination of six patients revealed each patient had one impacted transmigrated mandibular canine. Of the six impacted teeth, the left mandibular canine was involved in four instances and the right in two. In one case the transmigrated canine was associated with a dentigerous cyst. Transmigration of the mandibular canine is a rare event, and early radiographic examination of the patient is important for treatment. In addition, future studies may lead to a better understanding of this rare anomaly and improvement of the classification criteria.