Influence of repeat surgery on treatment time in the interdisciplinary management of impacted maxillary canines: A retrospective cohort study

Purpose To evaluate the effect of repeat surgery on treatment time in the interdisciplinary management of impacted maxillary canines. Material and methods This retrospective cohort study enrolled patients referred for computed tomographic examination for impacted maxillary canines within a 5-year observational period. The occurrence of repeat surgery was analysed with regard to treatment time, canine location, and surgical exposure technique. Results A total of 55 patients with 79 impacted maxillary canines were analysed. Of those, 83.6% did not present with complications that would have prompted repeat surgery during their treatment. For patients requiring repeat surgery, time until clinically visible movement of the canine was significantly longer (p < 0.001), whereas time between initial movement and eruption into the oral cavity was significantly shorter (p < 0.001). Overall treatment time did not differ significantly (p = 0.13). An open surgical exposure technique was associated with a significantly lower occurrence of repeat surgeries (p = 0.03). Bilateral impaction of canines significantly prolonged overall treatment time (p = 0.01). Conclusions In the event of initial treatment failure during the interdisciplinary management of impacted maxillary canines, repeat surgery should be considered, which has limited effect on overall treatment time. An open surgical exposure technique is preferable.