How do I know if my canine tooth is impacted?

Impacted canines are often identified during early dental screenings. A panorex x-ray, typically recommended around age seven, helps determine if there are problems with the eruption of adult teeth, allowing for a timely referral to an orthodontist or oral surgeon.

What happens during the surgical procedure for an impacted canine?

The oral surgeon will gently lift the gum to expose the hidden tooth and bond a small orthodontic bracket with an attached miniature chain to it. Over time, your orthodontist will use this chain to slowly and safely pull the tooth into its proper functional position.

What if I am an older patient with an impacted canine?

For older patients, particularly those over 40, there is a much higher chance that the impacted tooth is permanently fused in position. In these specific cases, the most effective option is typically to extract the impacted tooth entirely and replace it with a secure dental implant, fixed bridge, or removable partial denture.

Impacted Canines

The Importance of Early Recognition

Proactive screening is critical for managing the healthy eruption of adult teeth. A panorex screening x-ray and dental examination around the age of seven can help identify potential eruption problems early. If the eruption path is cleared by age 11 or 12, there is a good chance the impacted canine will erupt naturally. However, by age 13 or 14, and especially in much older patients where the tooth may fuse into position, the canine is significantly less likely to erupt on its own and will require professional intervention.

Coordinated Surgical Treatment

When a canine will not erupt spontaneously, our oral surgeon works closely with your orthodontist to safely resolve the issue. The surgeon will carefully lift the gum to expose the hidden tooth and bond a small orthodontic bracket with a miniature chain attached to it. Shortly after this surgery, your orthodontist will use a rubber band attached to this chain to carefully and slowly guide the impacted tooth into its final, proper place in the dental arch over a period of several months.

Understanding Impacted Canine Teeth

An impacted tooth is one that is "stuck" and cannot naturally erupt into function. The maxillary canine, often referred to as an upper cuspid, is the second most commonly impacted tooth in the mouth. These are exceptionally strong biting teeth with the longest roots of any human teeth, designed to touch first and guide the rest of your mouth into a proper bite. Normally, they erupt around age 13, but when they become impacted, specialized steps must be taken to bring them into their proper position within the dental arch.

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Impacted Canines

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