What You Should Know About Impacted Canines: When to Seek Treatment
Canines—sometimes called your “cornerstone” teeth—play a big role in how your smile looks and functions. But when these teeth don’t come in properly and get stuck beneath the gums, it’s called an impacted canine. Left untreated, impacted canines can cause pain, crowding, and even damage to nearby teeth.
At Rockwall Oral Surgery, Dr. Kevin Pollock and his team specialize in diagnosing and treating impacted canines to help protect your smile and oral health.
What Causes Impacted Canines?
Canines usually erupt between ages 11 and 13, but sometimes they get stuck due to:
- Lack of space in the jaw
- Abnormal tooth positioning
- Genetics or family history
- Early loss of baby teeth
When a canine tooth doesn’t erupt on schedule, it may become impacted, hiding beneath the gums or lodged against other teeth.
Signs of an Impacted Canine
Impacted canines aren’t always painful, but some common signs include:
- A missing permanent canine in your smile line
- Delayed eruption compared to other teeth
- Crowding or shifting of nearby teeth
- Tenderness or swelling in the gum
- Difficulty biting or chewing comfortably
Why Treat Impacted Canines?
If left untreated, impacted canines can cause problems like:
- Damage to adjacent teeth roots
- Cysts or infections
- Misaligned bites or jaw issues
- Cosmetic concerns due to missing teeth
Early diagnosis and treatment reduce the risk of complications and can often simplify care.
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on your specific situation but may include:
- Surgical exposure: Dr. Pollock gently uncovers the impacted tooth so an orthodontist can guide it into place with braces.
- Extraction: In cases where the canine cannot be saved, removal may be recommended with options to replace the missing tooth.
Dr. Pollock works closely with your dental and orthodontic team to create a personalized plan that fits your needs.
When Should You Get Evaluated?
Routine dental exams and X-rays are crucial, especially in your pre-teen and teenage years, to catch impacted canines early.
If you or your child shows any signs of impacted canines, don’t wait—early evaluation can make all the difference.
Ready to Protect Your Smile?
If you suspect an impacted canine or want to learn more about treatment options, call Rockwall Oral Surgery at (469) 757-4433 or visit our contact page to schedule a consultation.
