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Your canines, often called “cornerstone teeth,” play a vital role in maintaining your dental alignment, guiding your bite and giving your smile its unique charm. But when these essential teeth fail to emerge correctly, they can become impacted, leading to various oral health challenges. If you have been told you have an impacted canine, you may be wondering what that means and how it can be treated. Here is what you need to know about impacted canines and how oral surgery can help.
What Are Impacted Canines?
An impacted canine is a tooth that remains trapped beneath the gums or bone and cannot erupt into its proper position in the dental arch. This issue most commonly affects the upper canines, which are typically the last of the front teeth to emerge, usually between the ages of 11 and 13.
Impacted canines can happen for several reasons:
- Overcrowding: If there is not enough space in the jaw, the canine may be pushed out of alignment.
- Misaligned Teeth: Nearby teeth, such as lateral incisors, may block the canine’s natural eruption path.
- Genetics: A family history of impacted teeth or dental crowding increases the likelihood of this condition.
- Abnormal Tooth Development: Extra teeth (supernumerary teeth) or cysts can obstruct the canine’s movement.
Left untreated, an impacted canine can cause pain, misaligned teeth or even damage to neighboring teeth.
Why Treat Impacted Canines?
While it may be tempting to ignore a tooth you cannot see, addressing an impacted canine is crucial for your oral health and overall well-being. Untreated impacted canines can lead to:
- Shifting Teeth: Misalignment caused by impacted teeth can create a domino effect, impacting your bite and jaw function.
- Damage to Neighboring Teeth: Pressure from an impacted tooth can harm adjacent teeth or even cause root resorption (when the body breaks down and absorbs the tissue surrounding a tooth, gradually dissolving the tooth’s root structure).
- Cyst Formation: In some cases, an impacted tooth can develop a cyst that damages the jawbone or other teeth.
Treating impacted canines not only prevents these complications but also restores the aesthetic and functional balance of your smile.
How Oral Surgery Can Help
Oral surgeons specialize in diagnosing and treating impacted teeth, offering customized solutions based on the tooth’s position and your overall dental health.
- Diagnostic Imaging: Advanced X-rays or CT scans are used to pinpoint the location of the impacted canine and plan treatment.
- Surgical Exposure and Bonding: In collaboration with your orthodontist, our surgeon may expose the impacted tooth and attach a small bracket and chain. This allows the orthodontist to guide the tooth into its proper position over time.
- Tooth Extraction: If the impacted canine cannot be saved or poses a risk to your oral health, our oral surgeon may recommend extraction, followed by a replacement option such as a dental implant.
- Post-Surgical Care: Recovery typically involves managing swelling and discomfort with prescribed medications and following aftercare instructions to ensure proper healing.
Take the First Step Toward a Healthy Smile
If you have an impacted canine, we encourage you to seek treatment. Oral surgery provides effective solutions that protect oral health and help you achieve a confident smile. Schedule a consultation to explore your options and take the first step toward a healthier, happier you. Your smile deserves the best possible care—and our excellent oral surgery team is here to guide you every step of the way!