OBJECTIVES: To evaluate treatment time and patient perception of two surgical methods to expose a palatally displaced canine (PDC) into the oral cavity.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 30 consecutive patients between 11 and 18 years, with maxillary displaced canines were recruited. After gaining informed consent from the patients and custodians, the patients were randomized into two groups by an independent person. Both groups received a chain attached to the crown of the canine: in group A (control group) the chain was placed under the mucoperiosteal flap to an incision on the alveolar crest and in group B (test group), the chain penetrated the mucoperiosteal flap inferiorly to the crown of the canine. Outcome measures where time to expose the PDC into the oral cavity and the patient's experience of pain and discomfort during the treatment.

RESULTS: Twenty-six patients full-filled the trial, mean age was 12.9 years, (SD 1.6 years). The time to expose the canines for the control group was 11.9 months (SD 6.5) and for the test group 6.7 months (SD 3.2) The conventional method showed less pain on the day of surgery.

CONCLUSION: The method used in the test group resulted in a 5-month shorter time to expose the canine compared to the control group, and higher pain level on the day of surgery. For generalizability of the results, larger studies are needed.