Evaluation of nasal passage and palatal morphology in patients with impacted maxillary canine: a retrospective study using cone-beam computed tomography

BackgroundAnatomically, the maxilla and nasal cavity are functionally interconnected. Given the proximity of maxillary canines to these structures, impaction may affect the surrounding anatomy. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the potential association of maxillary canine impaction with nasal passage and palatal volumes using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).MethodsA total of 162 CBCT scans were categorized into three equal groups, comprising 54 participants each. The first group functioned as the control, whereas the subsequent two groups comprised patients with unilateral and bilateral maxillary impacted canines. In each group, right, left, and total nasal passage and palatal volume were measured using CBCT images. All measurements were conducted using Mimics software. The data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis H test for comparisons among the three groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for pairwise comparisons between genders. Spearman's correlation coefficient was employed to assess the relationship between nasal passage and palatal volume.ResultsThe bilateral impaction group showed significantly lower nasal passage and palatal volumes compared to the control and unilateral groups. The impacted side of the unilateral group revealed reduced palatal volume compared to both the non-impacted side and the control group. The nasal passage volume on the impacted side of the unilateral group was comparable to that of both the non-impacted side and the control group. This study revealed no statistically significant correlation between nasal passage and palatal volume.ConclusionsThe results indicated that bilateral maxillary canine impaction was associated with decreased nasal and palatal volumes, reflecting broader craniofacial structural changes.Trial registrationNot applicable.