Impacted Canines in Yardley, PA

When we think about impacted teeth, we often think of wisdom teeth. Canine teeth, however, can also fail to erupt properly. Unlike wisdom teeth, canine teeth are important for oral function and maintaining a healthy bite, so every effort is made to save them. At Innovative Oral Surgery & Dental Implants, we manage impacted canines for children and adults while working in harmony with your orthodontist.

Dr. Salin, Dr. Weiner, Dr. Semanoff, and Dr. Nack are board-certified oral surgeons who manage impacted canines and a broad scope of oral surgery needs for patients of all ages. If you live in Yardley, PA, and you or your child have an impacted canine tooth or have been referred by an orthodontist, contact us to schedule an appointment. Our office in Newtown, PA, office is only six miles away from Yardley, and we proudly serve Bucks County and surrounding areas.

What Are Impacted Canines?

An impacted tooth is one that cannot erupt into the dental arch because its path of eruption is blocked, or it has developed in an awkward position and will not naturally erupt on its own. wisdom teeth are known for becoming impacted because there is not enough room for them in the mouth, but because these teeth are not needed for oral function, they are extracteds. Canine teeth, however, are important for biting into food, maintaining a healthy bite, and keeping the other front teeth in proper alignment. When a canine tooth is impacted, dental experts try to save this tooth through a combination of orthodontics and oral surgery.

Leaving an impacted canine tooth untreated may lead to serious dental problems, such as:

• Development of a cyst or tumor around the the impacted tooth
• Resorption of nearby tooth roots, which can leave the tooth unrestorable or vulnerable to tooth loss
• Misalignment as the impacted tooth pushes other teeth out of position
• Malocclusion, or a bad bite, caused by teeth shifting out of place
• Pain and swelling
• Difficulty chewing or biting into food
• Premature wear on other teeth
• Tooth decay or infection that can spread to other teeth

You can prevent these issues from occurring or progressing by having an impacted canine tooth addressed promptly by a dental expert. Contact Innovative Oral Surgery & Dental Implants for a consultation with one of our board-certified oral surgeons, who will closely evaluate your teeth and create a custom plan to manage the impacted tooth.

When to Start Treatment for an Impacted Canine

The maxillary cuspids, or upper canine teeth, are the last of the front teeth to erupt. Although they typically come in around the age of 12, it is recommended that a child sees an orthodontist by the age of 7 to detect potential dental issues. If an impacted canine tooth is detected, treatment ideally begins shortly thereafter. The child will wear braces to create space for the tooth, and once there is room for the canine tooth, an oral surgeon will expose and bracket the tooth. Then, braces will guide the tooth into place.

Early surgical orthodontic treatment is preferred because the teeth and jaws are still developing during childhood, making it easier to properly align the teeth and correct dental problems. Adults with impacted canines can still undergo treatment, but the duration of orthodontic treatment may be longer and there is a higher risk of developing oral health issues the longer an impacted tooth goes untreated.

Surgical Orthodontics: The Expose and Bond Procedure

Treatment for an impacted tooth will depend on the development of the tooth and the severity of the impaction. During your first visit, we will take 3D scans to examine the impacted tooth and detect other hidden oral health issues. Your surgeon will use these images to collaborate with your orthodontist and design a custom treatment plan for your exact needs.

In some cases, treatment may include waiting to see if the canine tooth will erupt on its own as it develops. If something is blocking the tooth, such as a baby tooth that fails to fall out, we can extract the blockage and see if the canine erupts. If the tooth remains impacted, expose and bond treatment is recommended.

This treatment is a joint effort between an oral surgeon and an orthodontist. Your oral surgeon will surgically expose the tooth and attach a bracket, and your orthodontist will use braces to pull the canine tooth into proper alignment. We typically use local anesthesia for the surgical procedure, although we offer many types of anesthesia and sedation for your comfort.

During the procedure, your oral surgeon will make an incision in the gums to expose the impacted tooth, then attach a bracket with a gold chain. This chain will be attached to the arch wire of your braces temporarily. Shortly after this procedure, you will visit your orthodontist who will adjust the chain and begin using your braces to pull the tooth into its proper position. This is a gradual process that may take a year to complete or longer, depending on other orthodontic issues you are being treated for.

Treatment for an Impacted Canine in Yardley, PA

Contact Innovative Oral Surgery & Dental Implants in Newtown, PA, if you or your child have an impacted canine tooth. Our Newtown office is only six miles away from Yardley, conveniently located for patients in Yardley and throughout Bucks County. Our board-certified oral surgeons will work in harmony with your orthodontist to provide a seamless patient experience for you and your family.