What Are Canines?
The four canines are the sharpest teeth and are primarily used for tearing food. Primary canines appear between 16 and 20 months, with the upper canines emerging just before the lower canines. In permanent teeth, this order is reversed. The lower canines appear around 9 years of age, while the upper canines emerge around 11 to 12 years of age. Canines are located at the corners of the incisors and have the longest single root of any tooth, with a single cusp.
It is important to note that the gum tissue around the canines is prone to erosion due to their position in the mouth. It has been observed that the mandibular canines and lower incisors are the most common sites for gum recession. Canines also receive more pressure during brushing because they are said to protrude on either side of the incisors.
What Are Impacted Canines?
Canines, especially the upper jaw canines, play a crucial role in your mouth. They are essential for biting and tearing food, as well as guiding your jaw into proper alignment. Impacted canines are those that cannot grow properly. The upper jaw canine is the second most commonly impacted tooth after wisdom teeth.
When wisdom teeth (third molars) are impacted, the most common solution is extraction, which often improves oral health.
What Are the Causes of Impacted Canines?
There are several different reasons why your canines may become impacted:
Crowding:
When your front teeth are crowded, often due to misalignment, there may not be enough space for your canines to emerge.
Extra Teeth:
Any extra teeth can block your canines, preventing them from erupting.
Overgrown Gums:
Although rare, overgrown gums can prevent the canines from emerging.
What Is the Problem with an Impacted Canine?
The canine may fail to emerge into the mouth and remain embedded in the upper or lower jawbone. This can affect the appearance of the teeth and may lead to the formation of a cyst or damage to adjacent teeth.
What Is the Treatment for Impacted Canines?
The optimal treatment for impacted canines is orthodontic intervention. The orthodontist uses braces and wires to create space in the jaw for the canine to emerge. A small incision is made in the gum to expose the tooth, and then brackets are attached to guide it into place.
However, if the canine is impacted in a difficult position or at a challenging angle (such as horizontally) or if it is far from its original position or surrounded by a cyst or tumor, the treating doctor may opt for surgical extraction.