In a distalized canine scenario, the tip of the lower canine is displaced relative to the upper landmark in which direction?

• A. Anterior to the upper landmark
• B. Posterior to the upper landmark
• C. Upper landmark displaced anteriorly
• D. Upper landmark displaced posteriorly

Answer: (B)

Distalization means moving a tooth toward the back of the mouth. When we distalize the lower canine, its tip is displaced backward relative to the upper dentition. So the tip ends up posterior to the upper landmark. If it were anterior, that would be a mesial (forward) displacement, opposite of distalization. Describing the upper landmark moving would change the reference frame rather than the tooth’s actual movement.