Upper canine teeth can often not come What are the options for an impacted This picture
This picture shows a canine that has
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.
canine? been uncovered in the roof of the mouth.
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.
Fixed braces are then used to pull the
This x ray shows tooth into the correct position.
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 The braces are removed once the tooth
term by a plate, bridge or implant, is in the correct position and you have a
through your general dentist. beautiful smile!
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.
 Impacted canines.
Every patient’s needs are different and Risks to leaving an impacted
you will have a treatment plan discussed
with you by your orthodontist and
tooth in place are;
 it may do damage to the
Options for
surgeon.
roots of adjacent teeth impacted
Sometimes we need to also take out risking them being removed
baby teeth, for example if the baby in the future, canine teeth.
canine has been kept in the mouth, or
adult teeth as part of your orthodontic
 a cyst may form in the roof
treatment needs. This will be explained of your mouth.
to you by your orthodontist.
Removing an impacted tooth is
usually done whilst you are
asleep.
Department of Oral
Uncovering or exposing an Surgery and
impacted tooth is also usually Orthodontics
done when you are asleep and is
followed by some lengthy fixed
Stoke Mandeville
brace treatment.
Hospital
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Amersham Hospital
01494 734296