The simple answer is 'yes it can'. More typically, though, the mandibular canine has a flatter lingual surface making the preparation of a round lingual rest more difficult unless the tooth is being crowned. If an inverted 'V' shaped cingulum rest is used instead of a mesially-located round lingual rest, the rotations are not the same and the advantages of using a mesial rest will not accrue. For more see my RPD manual: removpros.dentistry.dal.ca/Manuals.html
