This Systematic Review Aims to Synthesize Available Evidence Regarding the Prevalence, Anatomical Distribution, Etiological Determinants, and Diagnostic Assessment of Permanent Canine Impaction. A Systematic Search of PubMed, PubMed Central, and ScienceDirect Was Conducted for Studies Published Betw

Overview

This systematic review aimed to synthesize current evidence regarding the prevalence, anatomical distribution, etiological determinants, and diagnostic assessment of permanent canine impaction. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, PubMed Central, and ScienceDirect for studies published between December 2009 and December 2025. Study selection followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Two independent reviewers screened titles, abstracts, and full texts, and methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. Thirty-one studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the qualitative synthesis. Reported prevalence of maxillary canine impaction ranged from approximately 0.97% to 7.10%, with mandibular impaction occurring less frequently. Palatal displacement represented the most common positional pattern. Major etiological factors included retained deciduous canines, dental arch constriction, supernumerary teeth, odontomas, and genetic anomalies. Cone-Beam Computed Tomography demonstrated superior diagnostic accuracy compared with conventional radiographic methods. The review provides a comprehensive synthesis of epidemiological patterns, etiological mechanisms, and imaging considerations associated with permanent canine impaction, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate radiographic assessment.

This study was designed as a systematic review to evaluate the prevalence, anatomical distribution, etiological determinants, and diagnostic assessment of permanent canine impaction. The review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A comprehensive electronic search was performed in PubMed, PubMed Central, and ScienceDirect databases for studies published between December 2009 and December 2025. Manual searches of relevant orthodontic and oral radiology journals were also conducted. Studies were eligible if they investigated permanent canine impaction and reported prevalence data, anatomical positioning, etiological factors, or imaging characteristics. Case reports, syndromic populations, and studies lacking quantitative data were excluded. Two independent reviewers screened titles, abstracts, and full texts, and disagreements were resolved by consensus. Methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tools appropriate for observational study designs. Data extracted from eligible studies included sample size, prevalence rates, anatomical positioning, gender distribution, etiological factors, imaging modalities, and presence of root resorption. Due to methodological heterogeneity, quantitative meta-analysis was not feasible, and a qualitative synthesis approach was adopted. Thirty-one studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the qualitative synthesis. The review evaluated epidemiological patterns, positional distribution, local and genetic etiological factors, and diagnostic imaging approaches. The findings emphasize the multifactorial nature of permanent canine impaction and the importance of early detection and appropriate imaging evaluation.