Dentists refer to an “impacted canine tooth” as a tooth that remains under the gum line and is unable to emerge into the mouth. The most common type of impacted tooth are the “wisdom teeth” molars, which come out in the late teens. However, any type of tooth, including the maxillary or front teeth, and especially the canine teeth, which come into place around the age of 13, has the potential to become impacted, pushing out the space previously occupied by the “baby” teeth and erupting the full adult teeth. Most of the teeth in the front that suffer from impaction are the upper teeth, or those in the arch. Impacted canines are the next most common teeth to suffer from impaction. Occasionally, the adult teeth fuse into place beneath the gum line, or another tooth obstructs their path. When this occurs, or when teeth fail to develop properly, the usual treatment involves either surgery to create room for the tooth or dental implants if the tooth is incapable of erupting or repositioning. Canine impaction treatment depends on the patients current oral health, and what long term treatment is best for the individual.
Understanding Impacted Canine Teeth
What Is an Impacted Canine Tooth?
In humans, the canine teeth are the pointed, fang-like teeth on either side of the upper and lower incisors, or front teeth. The permanent, or adult, teeth push up underneath the temporary baby teeth to replace them around the ages of eleven through thirteen. When something interrupts this process, whether through injury, deformity, or some other malfunction, the permanent tooth fails to erupt, becoming stuck beneath the gum line. This is called impaction. An impacted canine tooth is the second most common type of impaction.
In modern orthodontics, there are many theories as to the causes of an impacted canine tooth, referred to as guidance theory and genetic theory. The guidance theory assumes that the permanent canine erupts along the root of the incisor, and its absence causes the canine to fail to erupt. According to genetic theory, a family history of dental issues causes the canines to fail to erupt, resulting in an impacted canine tooth. The effects of smoking and gum disease also play a role. If you are uncertain as to what causes periodontitis, our experts are glad to help explain how your gum health might affect your impacted canine tooth.
Signs and Symptoms
There are many steps pediatric dentists prefer to take before resorting to surgery or dental implants to treat an impacted canine tooth; the earlier interventions were more aimed at encouraging the tooth to erupt on its own. Dentists first examine the patient’s range of symptoms, which include the failure of the permanent tooth to erupt by age thirteen, pain, swelling, and misalignment of other teeth. If the tooth has not erupted by fourteen or fifteen years of age, intervention is the first step. Dentists look for the absence of a normal canine bulge beneath the gums, distal tipping, or migration of the nearest incisor.
Diagnosis
When the dentist suspects an impacted canine tooth, the first step in diagnosis is typically x-rays. Dentists might also utilize advanced three-dimensional imaging techniques such as cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) to locate the position of canines, or if they are not even present.
Treatment Options for Impacted Canine Teeth
Orthodontic Solutions
Any impacted canine tooth becomes “stuck” in its location and is unable to move into its correct position. The method for addressing this is highly dependent on how severe the problem is. If not treated promptly, the impacted tooth might not erupt at all, might affect nearby teeth, or even cause infection or deformity of the jaw. The first step in treating the impacted canine tooth is surgical exposure of the tooth, which allows it to move upward. Braces typically coax the tooth into place after it erupts. We choose another treatment method if the tooth refuses to move upwards.
When Orthodontics Fail
When orthodontic treatments are unsuccessful or not feasible, or the impacted canine tooth is present but will not move into place, the next step is to attach an orthodontic bracket to the tooth to help guide the tooth level with nearby teeth. In other cases, the dentist may have to reposition the gums or, finally, extract the tooth entirely. When necessary, the dentist must replace the tooth with an implant to maintain the proper alignment of the teeth.
The Role of Dental Implants
Why Consider Dental Implants?
Dental implants serve as a solution to replace impacted canines that are not repositionable. When previous treatments fail to restore an impacted canine tooth, they leave an unsightly and potentially damaging gap near the front of the mouth. The alignment of adjacent teeth often depends on support from the other teeth, and when there is a gap, incisors and molars can fall out of alignment. To treat this, dentists often recommend installing a dental implant or a custom-made artificial canine tooth to maintain the stability of the jaw and upper arch of the roof of the mouth. For more information, we offer a Complete Guide to All-on-4 Dental Implants.
The Dental Implant Procedure
The following are the steps involved with the process of inserting a dental implant to replace a missing canine tooth:
- A dentist removes the damaged or impacted tooth.
- We prepare the jawbone and apply grafts if necessary.
- During a surgical procedure, the jaw receives a metal screw that holds the final implant.
- We give the jaw and gums time to heal.
- Abutment placement
- Artificial tooth placement
If you have more questions about this process to treat an impacted canine tooth, check out our Building Foundations for a Stronger Smile Guide. Remember, dental implants for impacted canines might not be suitable for everyone. If you are looking at impacted tooth solutions, your dentist must first determine if you are a suitable candidate for canine tooth replacement. If your jaw bone is not sufficiently strong enough for the dental implant procedure, implants might not be the best solution for you. Orthodontic treatments for impacted canines depends entirely upon your individual oral health needs.
Benefits of Dental Implants for Impacted Canines
There are several benefits to dental implants, including improved aesthetics, functionality, and oral health. While the recovery process might be long and sometimes painful for the patient, in the long term, most who receive dental implants to replace an impacted canine tooth report satisfaction with the final results. Implants serve to protect the jawbone by allowing continuous stimulation of the bone under the gum line. The jawbone needs constant stimulation from the teeth, lest the bone itself begin to deteriorate. An implant supports and protects the remaining teeth, preventing them from moving around into the extraction gap. An implant restores the patient’s ability to chew food properly, improves cosmetic appearance, helps maintain overall oral health, and also improves quality of life.
Success Stories
Patient Case Studies
Numerous cases exist where patients who received canine replacement implants have recovered well after surgery. In this article, a 43-year-old female patient presented with a missing canine that never erupted. Treatment involved the extraction of the canine from beneath the gumline, followed by a two-stage approach to implant placement. In the next stage, the dentist places an abutment, and in the final stage, the patient receives the permanent implant. The patient made a full recovery. In another case involving a 35-year-old man who received similar treatment, a 5-year follow-up indicated promising bone restoration and stability around the implant, indicating that the orthodontic treatments for impacted canines using the implant had indeed stabilized the patient’s jaw and that he had made a full recovery.
Testimonials
Don’t just take our word for it! Here are some testimonials from patients who have undergone the canine impaction treatment procedure at Southland Dental Care to treat an impacted canine tooth. We offer the best dental implants in Los Angeles.
“Dr. Delaram Hanookai did the implant, and then there was some bone grafting that needed to be done, so he did all that. And then Dr. Michael Abaian did all the crown work on the other teeth. And so they were both just great! I know that I am getting the best the dental profession has to offer when I come to this office.”
“My dental problems started from not taking care of my teeth. I was in dentures for almost a year; how terrible that was. I was intrigued that the dentists there were professors; they teach how to do this. I just wanted the best. I went and met them and decided I wanted a full mount. It felt so good, I went out for a steak dinner that night!”
“I had dentures for 25 years, and I saw a lot of bone loss. With the new implants, it’s stabilized a lot of my mouth.”
If you’re still not convinced, click here for our Patient Testimonial: Jeff’s Smile Transformation Journey, to learn more about Jeff’s procedure, and see how the caring staff and experts at Southland Clinic guided him through his journey to obtain implants following the extraction of an impacted canine tooth.
Conclusion
If you currently suffer from an impacted canine tooth, please consider dental implants as a viable solution for your impacted canine teeth. Impacted teeth cause a wide variety of oral health concerns, including infection, misalignment of the other teeth, and cosmetic deterioration. If left untreated, an impacted canine tooth might potentially cause ongoing pain and problems with oral health, which then spread to the rest of the body. Furthermore, those with unsightly smiles often suffer from self-esteem issues, difficulty expressing themselves, and hesitation when taking part in social events involving food. Don’t let your oral health be the reason for a negative impact on your quality of life. Dental implants to replace your missing or problematic canine teeth are a long-term solution to your oral issues. Canine tooth replacement is an ongoing multi-step process, and part of a wide range of impacted tooth solutions. Southland Care Dental Clinic is a leading provider of dental implants Los Angeles residents trust for high-quality and lasting results.
Call us Today!
Contact Us for a Consultation
Looking for the best dental implants Los Angeles has to offer? Visit Southland Care Dental Clinic for top-notch care and expertise. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Delaram Hanookai and Dr. Michael Abaian today. Join our thousands of satisfied patients in proving your smile, oral health, and quality of life. We can guide you through the process of choosing a periodontist in Los Angeles, CA. Give us a call at 818-788-8787, or visit our offices located in Sherman Oaks at 4312 Woodman Ave, #100 Sherman Oaks, CA 91423, or Los Angeles at 4327 Gage Ave, Bell, CA 90201. We are ready to help you begin your journey to a bright, new, and healthy smile! Southland Care offers the best dental implants in Los Angeles.