Impacted canines

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Your canine teeth are the pointed teeth on either side of your main front teeth. They play a big role in your ability to bite foods and enunciate clearly. They also aid in the development of the jaw and dental arch. If one or more of these canine teeth fails to erupt and align properly alongside other teeth, they can cause serious oral health problems associated with the function and health of the smile. Orthodontics is generally able to create the proper space for canines to erupt, but when these teeth are too impacted (grow sideways or become stuck in the gums), surgical intervention is needed. Luis can offers a procedure called “expose and bond” for impacted canines.

If your orthodontist has referred you to an oral surgeon like Luis, it’s helpful to understand why. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are the dental surgical experts. With many additional years of specialised training, oral surgeons begin clinical practice with knowledge and experience in the full scope of treatments related to the face and mouth. This superior level of experience makes them the go-to for “simple” surgical procedures like expose and bond of impacted canines. In the hands of an oral surgeon, you can feel confident knowing your surgery will be efficient and predictable.

Expose and bond is a simple surgical procedure that gains access to your canine from behind gums and bone so a bracket and chain can be secured to gently pull the tooth down into proper position. Once orthodontics has made adequate space for the canine to erupt, our oral surgeon will surgically lift the gum tissue to expose the impacted canine beneath. Depending on the treatment plan we and your orthodontist have agreed upon, we may attach a bracket and chain to this tooth and suture the gums back in place. Or expose the tooth and leave it uncovered so your orthodontist can attach the bracket and begin the process of moving the tooth downward. While it will take a while longer for all your teeth to be aligned, treating your impacted canines is a crucial step in ensuring you have a straight, functional smile at the conclusion of your orthodontic treatment!

• Keep impacted canines from harming oral health
• Ensure proper development of the dental arch
• Ensure all teeth come together in proper alignment
• Potential for shorter orthodontic treatment
• Improved bite function and smile aesthetics

Following surgery there is usually very little swelling but there will be some soreness. This is normally taken care of with simple painkillers such as paracetamol. It is not usually necessary to take antibiotics but your oral surgeon can indicate these if necessary. A review appointment is usually made 2 weeks following surgery, either with the surgeon or orthodontist.

What complications can happen?

• Pain
• Bleeding
• Swelling
• If a gold chain is used it can detach from the surface of the tooth and will need to be re-glued in
• Occasionally canines will not erupt into position and may require extraction, this will be determine by your orthodontist who will be responsible for bringing the tooth into position

You should be able to go home the same day. You should be able to go back to work the day after the procedure unless you are told otherwise but do not do any strenuous exercise for the first 24 hours. 

Normally after your procedure you are discharged back to your orthodontist who will continue with the treatment a few weeks after surgery.