Significant adverse outcome of an uncorrected buccally-erupted maxillary canine

 # A significant adverse outcome of an uncorrected buccally-erupted maxillary canine is the potential for root resorption of the:

A. Mandibular Canine

B. Maxillary Central Incisor

C. Maxillary Second Molar

D. Maxillary First Premolar

The correct answer is B. Maxillary Central Incisor

Buccally-erupted maxillary canines, often ectopic in position, can migrate mesially during eruption, exerting direct pressure on the roots of adjacent anterior teeth—most notably the maxillary central incisor—leading to progressive external inflammatory root resorption (up to complete root loss in severe cases). Case reports and radiographic studies document this as a key sequela, with the canine's abnormal path causing odontoclastic activation via sustained physical contact, resulting in mobility, exfoliation, and functional/aesthetic deficits if uncorrected. While lateral incisors are more frequently affected overall in ectopic canines, central incisor involvement is a significant risk in buccal displacements due to the canine's proximal positioning during mixed dentition eruption. In contrast, mandibular canines (A) are unaffected; second molars (C) are distal and unrelated; and first premolars (D) face lower risk from buccal (vs. palatal) ectopia. Early CBCT screening and interceptive orthodontics (e.g., canine guidance) mitigate this potential.