Extraction of the permanent canine surprises many traditional orthodontists who believe that negative functional and unaesthetic results may arise from the procedure. Although esthetics is the major concern of layperson people, the occlusal aims of the orthodontic treatment are esthetics, occlusal function and periodontal health, with or without canines. The current paper describes the possibility of extracting the canine instead of the premolar in an orthodontic treatment with teeth extraction. In such a situation, which is not easily accepted by orthodontists and patients, the canine is eliminated but not its cusp function in lateral mandibular movements, thus maintaining the gnathologic functional concepts.
Malocclusion; Tooth extractions; Permanent dentition
