Download Upper canine teeth can often not come through into the mouth

Upper canine teeth can often not come
through into the mouth properly,
meaning that you may need an operation
to uncover the tooth as well as some
orthodontic treatment, using fixed metal
braces.
The tooth can be stuck on the outside,
known as buccal, as seen here by the
bulge in the gum, or in the roof of the
mouth, known as palatal, again seen
here in the picture looking up at the top
teeth.
Your x rays gives us a view of where the
tooth is, and the surgeon then uncovers
the tooth whilst you are asleep.
What are the options for an impacted
canine?
1. Leave the tooth in place.
The main risk of this is that the
tooth can bump into the roots of
other adult teeth and do damage,
making them feel wobbly and
eventually need to be removed. A
cyst can also form around the
tooth.
This x ray shows
some root damage
to adult front teeth,
called
‘root resorption’.
2. Remove the tooth whilst you
are asleep, with no further
orthodontic treatment. If you keep
your baby tooth instead, this may
need to be replaced in the long
term by a plate, bridge or implant,
through your general dentist.
3. Uncover the tooth and have
fixed braces to pull the tooth into
the right place. Be aware that this
can take more than 2 years to
complete.
4. Have a gold chain attached to
the tooth to use with fixed braces
to pull the tooth down into the
mouth.
This picture shows a canine that has
been uncovered in the roof of the mouth.
Fixed braces are then used to pull the
tooth into the correct position.
The braces are removed once the tooth
is in the correct position and you have a
beautiful smile!
Impacted canines.
Every patient’s needs are different and
you will have a treatment plan discussed
with you by your orthodontist and
surgeon.
Sometimes we need to also take out
baby teeth, for example if the baby
canine has been kept in the mouth, or
adult teeth as part of your orthodontic
treatment needs. This will be explained
to you by your orthodontist.
Risks to leaving an impacted
tooth in place are;
 it may do damage to the
roots of adjacent teeth
risking them being removed
in the future,
 a cyst may form in the roof
of your mouth.
Removing an impacted tooth is
usually done whilst you are
asleep.
Uncovering or exposing an
impacted tooth is also usually
done when you are asleep and is
followed by some lengthy fixed
brace treatment.
Options for
impacted
canine teeth.
Department of Oral
Surgery and
Orthodontics
Stoke Mandeville
Hospital
01296 315691/2
Amersham Hospital
01494 734296