Impacted Canines
Protect Your Child's Oral Health
Catch Problems Early With Treatment for Impacted Canines in Norfolk
Acting early gives your child the best chance to keep a healthy, natural canine for years to come. These sturdy teeth play a big role in chewing and in the shape of a confident smile, so they're worth saving whenever possible.
Our surgeons provide treatment for impacted canines in Norfolk, starting with a careful look at where the tooth sits and how it's angled. In many situations, a minor procedure called exposure and bonding uncovers the canine so braces can gently guide it into place. We partner closely with your child's orthodontist so each step happens at the right time.
When a canine is too deeply trapped to move, removing it may be the healthier choice. Schedule a consultation to learn which path fits your child's smile.
Find Out Why Canine Teeth Are Important
Canine teeth are worth saving because they have the longest roots in the mouth and help guide your bite when you move your jaw side to side. They also shape the corners of the smile and protect other teeth from extra wear.
A baby canine that hasn't loosened by the early teens may signal a problem, as can a firm bump on the roof of the mouth. When caught early, removing the baby tooth sometimes lets the adult canine come in without surgery.
If the canine still needs help, an orthodontist will create space using braces. Your surgeon then uses a procedure called exposure and bonding, uncovering the tooth and bonding a small attachment so it can be guided into place. When a canine is fused to the bone or sits at an angle braces can't correct, removal may be the safer option.
If your child needs help with impacted canines in Norfolk, contact our office today for a consultation.
Earlier Detection
Spotting an impacted canine in childhood often allows simpler treatment and avoids more involved surgery later.
Long-Lasting Natural Tooth
Keeping your child's canine means a strong, deep-rooted tooth that can serve them well into adulthood.
Team-Based Care
Your oral surgeon and orthodontist coordinate timing so braces and surgery work together smoothly at each stage.
Fewer Future Procedures
Guiding a canine into place now can prevent the need for an implant or bridge down the road.
Confident Teen Smile
A properly placed canine fills out the smile, helping your child feel good in photos and at school.
Frequently Asked Questions About Impacted Canines
Q How common are impacted canines?
Impacted canines are fairly common, affecting about one to two percent of people. Upper canines are impacted far more often than lower ones. They also tend to appear more often in girls than boys. Because they often cause no symptoms, many are first found on routine dental X-rays during childhood.
Q Why are canine teeth so important?
Canine teeth are important because they guide the bite when the jaw moves side to side. Their long roots make them some of the strongest teeth in the mouth. Canines also shape the corners of the smile. Losing one can affect both appearance and how the other teeth wear over time.
Q Can an impacted canine come in on its own?
An impacted canine can sometimes come in on its own if the problem is caught early. Removing the baby canine around ages 10 to 13 may give the adult tooth room to move into place. Creating space with braces can also help. Deeply impacted canines usually need surgical help to erupt properly.
Q What role does an orthodontist play with an impacted canine?
An orthodontist creates space for an impacted canine and then guides it into position. Braces open room in the arch before or after the surgeon uncovers the tooth. Once a small attachment is bonded to the canine, the orthodontist applies gentle pressure over time to bring it into place. Regular adjustments keep progress steady.
Q What is recovery like after exposure surgery?
Recovery after exposure surgery is usually quick. Mild soreness and swelling may last a few days. Soft foods and over-the-counter pain relief help most children stay comfortable. Gentle rinsing keeps the area clean. Most kids return to school within a day or two after the procedure. Avoid touching the chain or bracket with the tongue.
Q Is it okay to wait and watch an impacted canine?
Waiting to watch an impacted canine is sometimes reasonable for younger children, but long delays can make treatment harder. As the roots finish forming, the tooth becomes less likely to move. Waiting may also allow damage to nearby roots. Regular X-rays help decide when action is needed. Early evaluation keeps more options open.
Q What is an ankylosed canine?
An ankylosed canine is a tooth that has fused directly to the jawbone. Normally, a thin ligament surrounds the root and allows movement. When this ligament is lost, braces cannot move the tooth. An ankylosed canine usually needs removal, followed by a dental implant or other replacement once growth is complete.
Q Can a baby canine stay in place long term?
A baby canine can sometimes stay in place for many years if the adult canine never comes in. However, its shorter root often weakens over time, and the tooth may eventually loosen. Many people later replace it with an implant. An exam shows how healthy the baby tooth's root remains.
