Impacted Canines

Humans possess four canines which include two on the upper arch and two on the lower arch of the mouth. Canines are the last to erupt completely and take shape.

The tooth becomes impacted if it doesn't erupt properly mostly due to insufficient space for it to develop. The wisdom teeth also known as the third molars are more prone to be impacted but because of its non-functionality, it is often removed. The upper canine is second in line to be impacted and it plays a crucial role in your bite.

Canines play an important role because they are the first to touch each other when the jaws close hence bringing the remaining teeth in proper order. They are also the last to erupt so the canines cover any gap between the teeth to close tighter together. Impacted canines can massively affect the appearance of your smile and the functionality of your mouth, therefore, it requires treatment in a concerning time.

Causes for impacted canines

• Extra teeth in the dental arch can be a hindrance to the eruption of canines due to insufficient space for the tooth to develop.
• Improper alignment of the front teeth leads to overcrowding hence avoiding the tooth to erupt.
• Unusual growths on the gum tissue can also affect the eruption of the tooth.

Complications with impacted canines can be prevented through early examinations. It is necessary for the dentist to keep a record of the number of teeth present when the patient is around 7 years old to keep track of the presence or absence of canine teeth. For older patients, there are fewer chances of the teeth erupting naturally therefore proper treatment is recommended.

Oral Examination and Treatment

To determine the cause of impacted tooth, the dentist first conducts a visual examination along with Panorex and/or individual X-Rays. Once the cause is found, numerous treatment options will be available depending on the patient's age. The treatment ultimately aims to erupt impacted canines.

The dentist may recommend extraction of the tooth if the dental arch is overcrowded for some reason. The extraction will be performed by an oral surgeon with the help of local anesthesia. A special bracket will be used to guide the impacted canine into place by lifting the gum and exposing it.

For younger patients, an orthodontic brace may be fixed to create a space on the dental arch for the impacted canine. It won't be required to stay overnight for surgery.

Our oral surgeon will guide you with all the required do's and don't with a proper treatment resulting in faster recovery.