Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate and compare the detection of gubernacular canals (GC) and their characteristics in normal and abnormal tooth eruption. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with unerupted teeth were classified according to sex and age. Each tooth was classified according to dental group, eruption status, formation status, angulation, and GC detection. The opening of the GC in the alveolar crest and the attachment sites in relation to the dental follicle were assessed. Data were analyzed by the chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests, with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: Cone-beam computed tomography scans of 159 patients were evaluated. The final sample (N = 598) consisted of 423 teeth with normal eruption, 140 impacted teeth, and 35 teeth with delayed eruption. The overall detection rate of GC was 90.6%. These rates were 94.1%, 87.1%, and 62.9% for normal eruption, impacted teeth, and delayed eruption, respectively. GC detection rates were higher in the early stages of tooth formation in normal tooth eruption and in impacted teeth. The rate of GC detection was even lower in delayed teeth when they were angulated. Unusual attachment sites of the GC to the dental follicle were associated with abnormal eruption status. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study suggest that GC characteristics may indicate an abnormal eruption status.