30 Central Park South, Suite 3A, New York, NY
Impacted Canines, Manhattan NY
Please call today to schedule an appointment or with any questions: ☎ Frederick G Hegedus, D.D.S. Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon Phone Number 212-759-2993
There are two upper (maxillary) and two lower (mandibular) eyeteeth (canine or cuspid). Canine teeth have the longest roots of any human teeth, thus have an especially firm connection to the jawbone. They usually come into place (erupt) around age 13.
An impacted tooth essentially means that it is blocked, stuck, or unable to fully erupt and function properly. The upper canine teeth are the second most common teeth after third molars (wisdom teeth) to become impacted. Impacted canines require surgical treatment (exposure) to enable them to erupt.
Erupted, fully functional canines are critical, and play an important role in:
Canine guidance: When the jaw closes, the canines guide the rest of the teeth into the proper bite.
Closing gaps: Canines are the last of the front teeth to erupt and therefore close any unsightly gaps between the other front teeth.
Proper alignment and function: Canine teeth are essential to the correct alignment and function of the other teeth on the dental arch. Missing or impacted canines can greatly effect the function of the teeth and the esthetic appearance of the smile.
What Happens If The Eyetooth Will Not Erupt When Proper Space Is Available?
Treatment will usually involve a combined effort between the orthodontist and the oral surgeon. The most common scenario will call for the orthodontist to place braces and arch wires on the other teeth (at least the upper teeth) to create space for the impacted canine to erupt. Once the space is ready, the oral surgeon will expose the impacted canine and will bond an orthodontic bracket to the exposed tooth. The bracket will have a miniature gold chain attached to it. The chain will be connected to the arch wire placed by the orthodontist.
Shortly after surgery, the patient will return to the orthodontist. A rubber band will be attached to the chain to put a light eruptive pulling force on the impacted tooth. This will begin the process of moving the tooth into its proper place in the dental arch.
It is not that uncommon for both of the maxillary canines to be impacted. In these cases, the space for these canines in the dental arch will be prepared by the orthodontist on both sides. After the spaces are created, the oral surgeon will expose and bond orthodontic brackets to both teeth during the same visit.
The surgical procedure is performed in Dr. Hegedus’s office. For most patients, it is performed by using nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and local anesthesia, or in selected cases it is performed under IV sedation. These treatment options will be discussed in detail by Dr. Hegedus at your preoperative consultation.
Early Recognition of Impacted Eyeteeth is the Key to Successful Treatment
Recognition of impacted eyeteeth at an early age is essential. Thorough examination of the teeth accompanied by panoramic x-rays and/or individual x-rays is important. Once the cause of the impaction is determined, the available treatment options can be established.
Impacted eyeteeth can be located on the palatal side (roof of the mouth) of the dental arch, above the roots of the adjacent teeth, or out to the facial side of the dental arch.
Treatment may involve an orthodontic treatment to open spaces to allow for proper eruption of the canines. Treatment may also require extractions of over-retained baby teeth and/or selected adult teeth that are blocking the eruption of the all-important eyeteeth.
If the eruption path is cleared and the space is opened up by age 11-12, there is a good chance that the impacted eyetooth will erupt naturally. The older the patient, the more likely that an impacted eyetooth will not fully erupt naturally even if the space is available in the dental arch.
Under the Surgical Instructions section on this website, please read the Pre- and Post Surgical Instructions.