Impacted Canines in Johns Creek
The maxillary cuspid (upper eyetooth) is critical to facial aesthetics and dental arch stability. When stuck beneath the gum or bone, surgical exposure and gentle orthodontic traction guide it safely into place.
Why Canine Teeth Are Crucial
An impacted tooth simply means that it is “stuck” and cannot erupt into function. Patients frequently develop problems with impacted third molar (wisdom) teeth. These teeth get “stuck” in the back of the jaw and can develop painful infections among a host of other problems. Since there is rarely a functional need for wisdom teeth, they are usually extracted if they develop problems.
The maxillary cuspid (upper eyetooth) is the second most common tooth to become impacted. The cuspid tooth is a critical tooth in the dental arch and plays an important role in your “bite”. The cuspid teeth are very strong biting teeth and have the longest roots of any human teeth. They are designed to be the first teeth that touch when your jaws close together so they guide the rest of the teeth into the proper bite.
Eruption and Guided Alignment
Normally, the maxillary cuspid teeth are the last of the “front” teeth to erupt into place. They usually come into place around age 13 and cause any space left between the upper front teeth to close tighter together.
If a cuspid tooth gets impacted, every effort is made to get it to erupt into its proper position in the dental arch. The techniques involved to aid eruption can be applied to any impacted tooth in the upper or lower jaw, but most commonly they are applied to the maxillary cuspid (upper eye) teeth.
The impacted teeth are surgically exposed via an incision in the gums at which point the tooth is gently loosed and a bracket and chain attached to aid orthodontic eruption.
Sixty percent of these impacted eyeteeth are located on the palatal (roof of the mouth) side of the dental arch. The remaining impacted eyeteeth are found in the middle of the supporting bone but stuck in an elevated position above the roots of the adjacent teeth or out to the facial side of the dental arch.
Longest Human Roots
Canines anchor your smile and bite foundation, bearing immense bite forces during chewing.
Orthodontic Bracket & Chain
A tiny gold bracket and chain are attached under comfortable IV sedation to guide eruption gradually.
Early Evaluation Matters
Evaluating eruptive paths around age 11-13 prevents root resorption of neighbouring teeth.
Consult With Dr. Egolum in Johns Creek
Call Creekside Oral Surgery directly at (770) 764-0840 or request an appointment online.
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