Impacted Canine Teeth Calgary
As your trusted Orthodontist in Calgary, we provide a variety of Orthodontic Treatments for various dental concerns, including Impacted Canine Teeth.
Dr. Biljana Trpkova has extensive experience diagnosing and treating impacted teeth as part of comprehensive orthodontic treatment plans. Through careful evaluation and collaboration with other dental professionals when necessary, our goal is to help patients achieve a healthy, functional smile and long-term oral health.
What Are Canine Teeth and Why Are They Important?
Canine teeth, also known as cuspids or “eye teeth,” play a vital role in your dental structure. They have the longest roots and are the last to fully erupt and settle into place, usually around the age of 13.
If you’re dealing with impacted canine teeth in Calgary, it’s important to seek professional care to ensure proper alignment and avoid complications. Addressing this issue early can help prevent long-term dental problems.
The upper canine teeth are particularly important because they help guide the bite, support facial aesthetics, and contribute to proper chewing function. When an impacted tooth prevents a canine from erupting normally, orthodontic intervention is often required.
Why Are Canine Teeth Essential?
Canine teeth play several critical roles:
- Closing Gaps – As the last of the front teeth to take their place, canines help close any gaps between adjacent teeth, contributing to a uniform and appealing smile.
- First Touch – These teeth are vital to the “biting” mechanism of the mouth. They make the first contact when your jaw closes and guide the remaining teeth into their proper position.
- Alignment & Function – Canine teeth maintain the correct alignment and function of your other teeth on the dental arch. Any issues with canines, such as impaction, can greatly affect your smile’s function and aesthetic appeal.
Understanding Impacted Canines
An impacted tooth is one that is unable to fully erupt and function due to being blocked or stuck. While wisdom teeth are most commonly impacted, wisdom teeth serve no vital role in your mouth’s function and can be easily removed. Upper canines are the second most frequent tooth to experience this condition and are much more critical in your adult teeth.
It’s important to address impacted canines promptly as they have a significant role in maintaining your dental health.
Without timely treatment, impacted canines can affect the position of surrounding teeth, contribute to bite problems, and increase the complexity of future orthodontic care.
Why Early Diagnosis Matters
At InLine Orthodontics, we believe early diagnosis is one of the most important factors in successfully treating impacted canines. This is why Dr. Trpkova carefully monitors developing teeth during childhood and adolescence.
When impacted canines are identified early, treatment is often simpler and more predictable. Early intervention may reduce the need for more extensive procedures while increasing the likelihood of guiding the tooth into the correct position within the dental arch.
Causes of Canine Teeth Impaction
Impacted canines can be caused by various factors including:
- Extra Teeth – Having an unusually high number teeth present may inhibit the natural eruption of the canines.
- Overcrowding – Poor alignment of the front teeth can lead to overcrowding, leaving insufficient room for the canines as the existing teeth compete for space.
- Unusual Growths – Sometimes, unusual growths on the soft tissue of the gums can restrict the progress of the canine teeth.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Impacted Canines
Our dedicated team at Inline Orthodontics believes that early and thorough examinations are key to preventing problems with impacted canines. Therefore, we document the number of teeth present when a patient is around 7 years old to record the presence or absence of canine teeth.
The diagnosis process includes a detailed visual examination accompanied by X-ray technology. Once we determine the cause of the impaction, several treatment options will be available depending on the patient’s age.
If your mouth is overcrowded, we may recommend the extraction of teeth to make room for the impacted canine. We also use a special bracketing system to guide the unerupted canine into its place after lifting the gum.
For younger patients, an orthodontic brace may be fitted to create a space on the dental arch for the impacted canine. Despite the term “surgery” being used, this canine tooth surgery is usually done without necessitating an overnight stay.
Rest assured, any discomfort will be managed with appropriate pain medication, and you’ll be given comprehensive post-treatment advice for your recovery.
Because every case is unique, Dr. Trpkova develops individualized orthodontic treatment plans based on the location of the impacted tooth, the patient’s age, and the position of adjacent teeth.
Impacted Canine Tooth Surgery
At Inline Orthodontics, we work with your oral surgeon to treat impacted canines using a procedure known as “expose and bond.” This method involves guiding the impacted canine tooth into its proper position. The orthodontist will attach a tiny bracket to the impacted tooth to gently and accurately bring the canine into alignment with the other teeth.
This surgical procedure is commonly performed by experienced oral surgeons working closely with the orthodontic team. During the procedure, the gum tissue is carefully adjusted to expose impacted teeth so that orthodontic traction can be applied.
Following surgical exposure, the exposed tooth is gradually guided into its ideal position using carefully controlled orthodontic forces. This collaborative approach helps maximize treatment success while minimizing unnecessary stress on surrounding structures.
Most patients experience a smooth and speedy recovery following the procedure and are able to return to their normal daily activities shortly afterward.
A Team Approach to Treatment
Successfully treating impacted canines often requires coordination between multiple dental professionals. Depending on your needs, Dr. Trpkova may work alongside your family dentist and oral surgeon to ensure every stage of treatment is carefully planned and executed.
This collaborative approach helps provide predictable outcomes while protecting the health of your surrounding teeth, gums, and jawbone throughout treatment.
Complications from Untreated Impacted Canines
If left untreated, impacted canines can lead to several complications:
- Resorption – This occurs when an impacted tooth starts to dissolve the root of the adjacent tooth.
- Misalignment of Teeth – Impacted canines can disrupt the natural alignment of your other teeth, leading to a crooked smile and potential bite problems.
- Abnormal Tissue Growth – In some cases, cysts can develop around the impacted tooth gum tissue, which could damage the jawbone and nearby teeth.
Contact Us Today About Missing or Impacted Canines
Our team at Inline Orthodontics is expertly trained in addressing impacted canines. We take pride in our patient-focused approach, providing a personalized treatment plan for every patient and ensuring you fully understand every step of the process. We believe in creating smiles that last a lifetime!
With specialized orthodontic training and decades of clinical experience, Dr. Trpkova is committed to helping patients achieve healthy tooth eruption, proper alignment, and lasting oral health through evidence-based treatment approaches.
We understand that dealing with impacted canines can be daunting, but with our expert care, we can help guide you towards a healthier, more confident smile.
Calgary Orthodontics with over 20 years of experience. We offer traditional braces & Invisalign in a friendly environment for beautiful, healthy smiles.