Impacted Canines
Early detection and orthodontic guidance, in Sacramento and Fair Oaks, CA
A canine tooth that won’t come in on its own is more common than many parents expect, and caught early, it’s very manageable. At New Element Orthodontics, board-certified orthodontist Dr. Christopher Myers monitors for and treats impacted canines in children across Sacramento and Fair Oaks, CA. Here is what an impacted canine is, how it’s found, and how it’s treated.
What Is an Impacted Canine?
An impacted tooth is one that stays blocked or stuck beneath the gum line instead of erupting into its proper place. Wisdom teeth are the most commonly impacted, but canines are a close second. A canine that doesn’t come in on its own usually needs some help to reach its correct position.
Why Canine Teeth Matter
Canines sit at the corners of your dental arch, just beside the front incisors. Each one has a single pointed cusp built for gripping and tearing food, and a long root that makes it one of the strongest, most stable teeth in the mouth. They’re also usually the last of the front teeth to arrive, typically erupting around age twelve or thirteen. Because they play such a structural role in both the bite and the look of a smile, guiding an impacted canine into place is worth doing well.
How Impacted Canines Are Caught Early
You generally can’t tell at home that a canine is impacted, since it’s hidden beneath the gum. That’s why the American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic exam by age seven. An early visit lets Dr. Myers track how the permanent teeth are erupting and spot an impaction before it becomes a bigger problem. Catching it early keeps treatment simpler and gives the tooth the best chance of settling into the right spot.
How Impacted Canines Are Treated
Treatment usually combines a minor surgical step with orthodontics. First, the tooth is exposed: an oral surgeon lifts a small flap of gum to uncover it. From there, one of two things happens. In some cases the tooth is left to finish erupting on its own. In others, Dr. Myers attaches a small orthodontic bracket to the tooth and uses gentle, steady traction to guide it down into its correct position over time. With early detection and this combined approach, most impacted canines can be brought into a healthy, functional place in the smile.
Common Questions About
Impacted Canines
How would I know if my child has an impacted canine?
Usually you wouldn’t, because the tooth is hidden under the gum. It’s typically found during an orthodontic exam, often with the help of X-rays, which is one of the reasons the age-seven check-up is worthwhile.
Is the procedure major surgery?
No. Exposing the tooth is a minor procedure. Most of the treatment is the orthodontic part, gently guiding the tooth into place over time, rather than the surgical step itself.
Who performs the surgical part?
The exposure is done by an oral surgeon, who uncovers the tooth. Dr. Myers then handles the orthodontic side, attaching the bracket and guiding the tooth into position, with the two coordinated as one plan.
What happens if an impacted canine is left alone?
An impacted canine that’s left untreated can create problems for the neighboring teeth and tends to be harder to correct the longer it waits. That’s the main reason early detection matters, since acting sooner usually means a simpler path.
Start With an Early Evaluation
The best protection against a difficult impaction is an early look. If your child is around seven, or you’ve been told a canine may be coming in out of place, an evaluation is the place to start. Call us or request an appointment online.
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