unilateral Loss of a Maxillary primary canine

Cause: caries or trauma

It is relatively uncommon to lose a maxillary primary canine due to caries or trauma, but it does happen from time to time. First, confirm that the primary canine is not being lost due to root resorption caused by ectopic eruption of permanent lateral incisors. If it is, this is a strong indicator of an underlying tooth size-arch length discrepancy (TSALD) which will change your management approach.

When a primary canine is lost in the maxilla due to caries or trauma, no treatment is typically recommended. 

Since management of this situation can be challenging and very patient specific, Dr. Jeff likes to air on the side of caution and refer to a specialist to create a comprehensive long-term plan when uncertain.