Oral Surgery · Impacted Canines
Exposure of Impacted Teeth
When a canine gets stuck beneath the gums, a simple surgical exposure, paired with your orthodontist's care, guides it into its proper place. Dr. Shaun Burlingame and Dr. Francisco Suarez perform exposures in office for children, teens, and adults.
Why Canines Matter
Impacted Canine
Canine teeth are also commonly referred to as cusped or "eye teeth" since the teeth align under your eyes. You should have two canines in both your upper and lower jaw. They are the strongest teeth you have, used for tearing into your most meaty meals. Because of this need for strength, your canines have the longest roots of all your teeth. They are an essential part of your bite and balanced smile for two main reasons:
- Your Bite: Due to their length, the canines guide your other teeth together when chewing and biting. Canines are essential for maintaining a proper bite.
- Your Appearance: Without canines, large gaps appear in your smile. This can lead to your other front teeth becoming twisted or crooked.
Your canine teeth are generally some of the last teeth to erupt. Occasionally they do not erupt. The two most common reasons are:
- Overcrowding in your mouth: Extra teeth or a small jaw can cause the space where your canines are supposed to come in to be very small, resulting in impaction, or failure to erupt.
- Abnormal growths: Tissue may have developed in your jaw that prevented your canines from reaching the surface.
Catch It Early
Treatment for Impacted Canines
The fact that teeth don't always come in like they're supposed to highlights the need for regular dental visits when young teeth are developing. If you suspect your child has impacted canines, don't hesitate to make an appointment with Riverside Oral Surgery. With regular dental visits, x-rays and examinations, the problem of impacted canines can be found out early when treatment is easier. If you are an adult and your canines have not erupted Riverside Oral Surgery can help. Set an appointment today for an x-ray and consultation. Your smile is up there waiting for you.
After assessing your situation, Riverside Oral Surgery will devise a plan to make room for your canines. With a typical oral surgery and the assistance of an orthodontist your canine will find their way into their proper place over time.
Your smile is up there waiting
We work closely with your orthodontist to bring an impacted canine into the right place, safely and predictably.