Impacted Canines

An impacted tooth simply means that it is “stuck” and cannot erupt into function. Patients frequently develop problems with impacted third molar (wisdom) teeth. These teeth get “stuck” in the back of the jaw and can develop painful infections, among a host of other problems (see Wisdom Teeth under Procedures). The maxillary cuspid (upper eye tooth) is the second most common tooth to become impacted. The cuspid teeth are designed to be the first teeth that touch when your jaws close together so they guide the rest of the teeth into the proper bite.

Normally, the maxillary cuspid teeth are the last of the “front” teeth to erupt into place. They usually come into place around age 13 and cause any space left between the upper front teeth to close tighter together. If a cuspid tooth gets impacted, every effort is made to get it to erupt into its proper position in the dental arch.

Early Recognition Of Impacted Eye teeth Is The Key To Successful Treatment

If the eruption path is cleared and the space is opened up by age 11-12, there is a good chance that the impacted will erupt with nature’s help. If the eye tooth is allowed to develop too much under the surface (by age 13-14), the impacted will not erupt by itself, even with the space cleared for its eruption. The older the patient the more likely an impacted eye tooth will not erupt by natural forces alone, even if the space is available for the tooth to fit in the dental arch. If the patient is older (over 40), there is a much higher chance that the tooth will be fused in position.

An exam is performed by your general dentist and a treatment plan will be determined. The treatment plan may require assistance from other dental professionals such as an orthodontist and/or oral surgeon.

What Happens If The Eye tooth Will Not Erupt When Proper Space Is Available?

In cases where the will not erupt spontaneously, the orthodontist and oral surgeon will work together to get these teeth to erupt. Each case must be evaluated on an individual basis, but treatment will usually involve a combined effort between the orthodontist and the oral surgeon.

What To Expect From Surgery To Expose & Bracket An Impacted Tooth

The surgery to expose and bracket an impacted tooth is a very straightforward surgical procedure that is performed in the oral surgeon’s office. For most patients, it is performed using laughing gas and local anesthesia. In selected cases it will be performed under IV sedation if the patient desires to be asleep, but this is generally not necessary for this procedure. Other details will have been discussed in detail at your preoperative consultation with your doctor. (You can also refer to Preoperative Instructions under Surgical Instructions on this website for a review of any details).