Services >Oral Surgery > Impacted Canines Extraction
Humans have two upper (maxillary) canines and two lower (mandibular) canines. Canine teeth are sometimes referred to as cuspids, fangs, or “eye teeth” because of their direct positioning beneath the eyes. Canine teeth have thicker and more conical roots than incisors and thus have an especially firm connection to the jaw. Canine teeth often have the longest root of all teeth in the human mouth and are the last to fully erupt and fall into place, often around age 13.
Impacted canine extraction is a crucial dental procedure that aims to address the issue of canine teeth that fail to come out and erupt. When these teeth become impacted, they remain trapped within the gum tissue or bone, potentially leading to many different complications such as teeth misalignment, cyst formation, or damaging neighboring roots.
The impacted canine is a tooth that has failed to erupt in the dental arch and is trapped in the gum or jawbone. This condition can lead to various issues, including overcrowding or adjacent teeth misalignment. Recognizing impacted canines is important as a delayed eruption of teeth can cause many different complications that may disrupt the user’s teeth alignment.
This condition is commonly associated with wisdom teeth and canines, however it can affect any tooth. Several factors contribute to tooth impaction, including not enough space in the jaw, and genetic reasons. If the jaw is too small for teeth to emerge they may become crowded and overcrowding happens. Moreover, if a tooth is misaligned during the development, it is unable to follow the normal eruption and leads to impaction.
The earlier an impacted tooth is identified, the more treatment options are available, potentially leading to a more comfortable surgery. During routine checkups, the dentist can identify signs of impaction, such as delays in tooth eruption, unusual position of adjacent teeth, or signs of overcrowding. For children and adolescents, regular visits to dentistry are advised as they allow monitoring of tooth development over time.
One of the most common consequences is the development of malocclusion, where misalignment of teeth disrupts the normal bite. This condition usually leads to difficulty in chewing speech and tooth wear and damage over time.
Over time impacted canines push the adjacent teeth causing them to move and shift in different positions. This affects the looks and appearance of a smile as well as needing a more complex orthodontic treatment in the future.
At mina family dentistry in Thornhill, the dental team understands the long-term implications of tooth misalignment. Impacted canines can create areas that are difficult to clean, making it easier for plaque and bacteria to build up. This increases the risks for periodontal disease, which leads to gum disease further on.
Treating impacted canine teeth involves a range of options depending on the severing of the impacted teeth and the patient’s circumstances. One approach is orthodontic intervention, where braces or other treatment options are used to create a space in the dental arch to move and guide the impacted canine into the proper position.
This method is often combined with a minor surgical process which is called exposure and bonding, where the gum is lifted a little bit to expose the impacted tooth, and a small bracket is attached to it. The bracket is then connected to the orthodontic instrument allowing the tooth to be moved over time.
The extraction process for impacted canine teeth is a special process that needs careful planning and precision to ensure a great outcome. At mina family dentistry in Thornhill, the extraction of impacted canine teeth is carefully done with extreme attention to dental, CBCT imaging is done to create a 3D model of the patient’s mouth and teeth allowing the dental team to see and know the exact location of the impacted tooth and plan the extraction with minimal to none disruption.
Once the preliminary assessment which includes the imaging of teeth is concluded. The procedure begins with the administration of anesthesia to numb the area. In some cases if the patient prefers or if the extraction is more complex, various other sedation options are available as well. IV sedation or nitrous oxide sedation may be needed for greater comfort and relaxation. As the patient is numbed the dentist makes a careful incision in the gum to access the impacted tooth. This incision is made in a way that much of the surrounding gum tissue is preserved and not damaged.
In some rare cases, the removal of any bone obstructing the impacted tooth may be necessary. The dentist carefully extracts the tooth, which may require cutting it into multiple pieces if it is too large or difficult to remove in one piece. After the tooth is extracted the area is cleaned to remove any debris or fragments.
The extraction of impacted canines is generally safe and effective and does not have any risks or complications. One of the biggest risks is damage to the other structures surrounding the teeth such as adjacent teeth or nerves or even the jawbone. Mina family dentistry in Thornhill takes the precautions needed to avoid such complications including detailed imaging and precise surgical techniques and skills.
Another risk is the potential for different complications that may arise surrounding bone structure. During the extraction, especially in cases where the tooth is deeply embedded some jawbone may be required to be removed. This can lead to bone loss or changes in bone density, which may impact future dental treatments if needed. Mina family Dentistry addresses these risks by using advanced techniques that are designed to minimize bone trauma and provide the best pos operative care available.
What has impacted canine extraction?
Impacted canines are teeth that have not erupted in the dental arch and are trapped in the gum. This can lead to many issues like overcrowding, misalignment of adjacent teeth, and other dental complications if not treated.
What causes impacted canines?
Several factors contribute to tooth impaction including insufficient space in the jaw, genetic factors, and tooth misalignment during tooth development. E.g. if the jaw is too small, teeth may become crowded leading to impaction.
How can impacted canines be detected early?
Early detection is crucial and can be achieved through routine dental checkups. Signs such as delay in tooth eruption, misalignment of adjacent teeth, or overcrowding can be signs of impacted canines. Regular dentist visits can help monitor teeth development over time.
What are the consequences of delaying treatment for impacted canines?
Delaying treatment can lead to malocclusion, which can cause difficulty in chewing and speaking, impacted canines can push adjacent teeth out of position, affecting the smile and potentially needing complex treatments later on.