St. Paul Orthodontics Experts Treats Impacted Canine Teeth

ST. PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - For many young kids, tell them they have "impacted canines" and they're likely to picture a dog in a kennel.

The term actually refers to canine teeth. Having an impacted canine tooth is a common concern often treated by orthodontists, including Dr. Trudy Bonvino, a Lakeville and St. Paul orthodontics specialist at Cosmopolitan Orthodontics.

An impacted canine is another way of saying the tooth cannot grow into its proper place on its own, maybe due to crowed teeth, according to the American Dental Association. This makes it difficult to function properly. It is usual for the wisdom teeth to be impacted, but it often happens to the upper canines, as well.

The canine teeth are positioned outside of the incisors and they normally have the longest roots of all the teeth. Children may call them their eyeteeth or "fangs," because of their placement and shape.

There are many of reasons teeth become impacted, such as:

• Other teeth might be in the way of them coming in
  
• Uncommon mouth growths
  
• Severe crowding that results in limited space for the teeth to erupt
  
• The jawbone may be in the path of proper eruption

The best time to begin treatment is when the analysis is made, preferably during youth.

"The American Association of Orthodontists recommends children be assessed by age 7," said Minneapolis orthodontist Bonvino. "This early consultation can be key to creating the best approach to correcting the issues."

The longer the tooth stays impacted, the more difficult the procedure of uncovering it may be. One outcome of waiting includes the tooth/teeth fusing into place. If this happens, the only improvement option may be surgical correction.

In most cases, Bonvino and an oral surgeon work collectively on a treatment plan. Bonvino puts braces on the upper teeth and a space is prepared for the canine to erupt. Then the patient is referred to an oral surgeon, who lifts the gum around the impacted tooth and places a temporary anchorage device in place. Then a small chain is attached to the tooth, and it pulls the canine into the right location. If the tooth doesn't budge even with a guided path, it will require surgical extraction and a dental implant will be put in its place. This is only in extreme instances or for patients who put off corrective action.

"The canine teeth are one of the last and most important teeth to erupt into position- often by age 13," said the Invisalign Teen provider. "They naturally finish the alignment process of the teeth and close the spaces that may be between some of the front teeth."

If children or adults are missing or have an impacted canine, it can significantly affect the functionality and the appearance of the smile, said adult and children braces provider Bonvino.