American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) Practice Exam 2026 - Free Orthodontics Practice Questions and Study Guide

When a deciduous canine is extracted in cases of impacted canines, research indicates that around 50% of cases will experience spontaneous correction of the position of the impacted permanent canine. This situation arises because the extraction of the primary canine can relieve the blockage that the impacted tooth faces, allowing it to erupt naturally into the arch.

In orthodontic practice, this strategy is often employed as a conservative initial approach before considering more invasive treatments. The success rate for spontaneous correction hinges on various factors, including the age of the patient, the degree of impaction, the position of adjacent teeth, and the overall dental development.

Understanding this success rate is crucial for clinicians in advising patients and determining a treatment plan. The other percentages do not reflect the commonly documented outcomes seen in clinical studies on this matter.