Most impacted canine cases arrive already diagnosed and planned by your dentist. Dr. Yagnik performs the exposure and bonding procedure based on that plan, then stays in close contact with your dentist throughout the alignment phase to ensure coordinated, effective care.
An impacted tooth is one that fails to erupt through the gum line and remains trapped beneath the surface. Canine teeth, positioned toward the front of the mouth, are the second most commonly impacted teeth after wisdom teeth, largely because of the role they play in guiding the rest of your bite into alignment. Because canines sit where they’re highly visible when they do erupt, an impaction here often gets noticed sooner than one further back in the mouth.
Left untreated, an impacted canine can lead to a range of complications, including:
The earlier it’s identified and addressed, the better the odds of guiding the tooth into its intended position rather than losing that option altogether.
An impacted canine usually comes down to one of a few underlying issues, and understanding which one applies to your case shapes your treatment plan.
A Blocked Path
Sometimes a baby tooth doesn’t fall out on its own, or an abnormal growth blocks the permanent canine from erupting where it should.
Dental Overcrowding
When there isn’t enough space in the dental arch for every tooth to align properly, canines are among the teeth most likely to become impacted as a result.
Insufficient Arch Space
In some cases, the size and shape of the jaw itself doesn’t provide enough room for the canine to erupt naturally, regardless of crowding elsewhere in the mouth.
Treating an impacted canine early improves the odds of guiding it into place successfully. The longer it goes unaddressed, the more it can fuse with the surrounding jawbone, at which point exposure and bonding are no longer viable options.
Exposure and bonding is the standard treatment for an impacted canine that hasn’t fused with the jawbone yet. Dr. Yagnik makes a small incision in the gum tissue to access the tooth, then attaches a small bracket with a chain. That bracket is secured to your braces, giving your orthodontist a way to gradually guide the tooth into the dental arch over the following months.
This is a collaborative process from start to finish. Timing matters, and patients typically see their orthodontist within about two weeks of the exposure procedure to begin the alignment phase. That close coordination between the surgical and orthodontic sides of treatment is what ultimately determines whether the tooth erupts successfully, functions properly, and looks the way it should. Dr. Yagnik stays in communication with your orthodontist throughout this process, since the surgical work only sets the stage for what the orthodontic phase needs to accomplish next.
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Meet with Dr. Yagnik to discuss your treatment, ask questions, and get a clear care plan. We’ll make sure you feel informed and comfortable every step of the way.
