What Happens When Your Child’s Canine Teeth Won’t Come In: A Parent’s Guide to Impacted Canines

Your child has been seeing an orthodontist, and everything seems to be progressing well with their braces. Then comes unexpected news: one or both of their upper canine teeth are impacted and won’t erupt on their own. Suddenly you’re facing terms like “surgical exposure” and “orthodontic collaboration,” and you have questions. What exactly does this mean for your child, and what happens next?

At Torrance Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Center, board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Benjamin Yagoubian works closely with orthodontists throughout the South Bay to help guide impacted canines into proper position. Understanding what impacted canines are and how they’re treated can help ease your concerns and prepare your family for what lies ahead.

Why Canine Teeth Matter More Than You Might Think

Canine teeth, sometimes called cuspids or “eye teeth,” are the pointed teeth located on either side of your four front teeth. These teeth have the longest roots of any teeth in the mouth and are designed to guide your jaw into proper alignment when you bite down.

Beyond function, canines are highly visible when you smile. They frame the front teeth and contribute significantly to facial aesthetics. This is why orthodontists and oral surgeons prioritize bringing impacted canines into alignment rather than simply extracting them.

Understanding Why Canines Become Impacted

After wisdom teeth, upper canines are the most commonly impacted teeth. They’re the last of the front teeth to erupt, typically coming in around ages 11 to 13. Because they have a longer path to travel through the bone before emerging, there’s more opportunity for something to go wrong along the way.

Several factors can cause a canine to become impacted:

• Crowding: When there isn’t enough space in the dental arch, the canine may not have room to erupt properly
• Extra Teeth: Sometimes additional teeth develop in the path of the canine, blocking its eruption
• Unusual Growths: Cysts or other growths can obstruct the tooth’s pathway
• Genetics: Impacted canines often run in families
• Early Loss of Baby Teeth: Losing primary teeth too early or too late can affect permanent tooth eruption patterns

Early detection is crucial. This is one reason orthodontists recommend children have an evaluation by age seven. Panoramic x-rays can identify potential impaction issues years before they become problematic, sometimes allowing for interceptive treatment that prevents surgery later.

How Impacted Canines Are Diagnosed

Most impacted canines are discovered during routine orthodontic evaluation. When your child’s orthodontist notices that a canine hasn’t erupted on schedule, or that a baby canine hasn’t fallen out when it should have, they’ll order imaging to determine the exact position of the permanent tooth.

At Torrance Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Center, Dr. Yagoubian uses advanced 3D cone beam CT imaging to visualize the precise location of the impacted tooth. This technology provides detailed three-dimensional views that show exactly where the tooth is positioned, what direction it’s pointing, and whether any obstacles are blocking its path. This information is essential for planning the most effective treatment approach.

The Collaborative Treatment Process

Treating an impacted canine is truly a team effort between your orthodontist and oral surgeon. The process typically unfolds in several stages, with both specialists working together to achieve the best possible outcome.

First, your orthodontist will create space in the dental arch for the canine to eventually occupy. This usually involves wearing braces for several months before the surgical procedure. Once adequate space exists, you’ll be referred to an oral surgeon like Dr. Yagoubian for the next phase.

The surgical procedure, called exposure and bonding, involves making a small opening in the gum tissue to access the impacted tooth. Dr. Yagoubian then attaches a small bracket with a tiny gold chain to the tooth’s surface. The chain extends through the gum tissue, where your orthodontist can later attach it to the braces.

After surgery, your child returns to their orthodontist, who uses the chain to apply gentle traction over several months. This slowly guides the impacted tooth down through the bone and gum tissue into its proper position. The process requires patience, but the result is a naturally positioned tooth that functions and looks just like it would have if it had erupted on its own.

What to Expect During and After Surgery

For patients and parents in Torrance and the Palos Verdes area, knowing what to expect from the procedure can significantly reduce anxiety. Dr. Yagoubian, who completed his oral and maxillofacial surgery training at Columbia University and New York Presbyterian Hospital, prioritizes patient comfort throughout the process.

The procedure is typically performed under IV sedation or general anesthesia, ensuring your child remains comfortable and unaware during the surgery. Most exposure and bonding procedures take 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the tooth’s position and complexity.

Recovery is generally straightforward. Patients can expect some swelling and mild discomfort for the first few days, manageable with prescribed pain medication and ice packs. Soft foods are recommended for about a week, and most young patients return to school within a few days. The surgical site heals quickly, and the orthodontic work continues as planned at follow-up appointments.

When Early Intervention Makes a Difference

Sometimes orthodontists identify potential impaction issues in younger children. Removing the baby canine early can sometimes allow the permanent tooth to self-correct its path and erupt naturally. In other situations, removing an extra tooth or other obstruction may be all that’s needed. These interceptive procedures are typically much simpler than treating a fully impacted tooth in a teenager, which is why early orthodontic evaluation is so valuable.

Why Choose an Oral Surgeon for This Procedure

While some general dentists perform exposure and bonding procedures, there are significant advantages to choosing a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Oral surgeons complete four to six years of hospital-based surgical residency training beyond dental school, including extensive experience with anesthesia and complex surgical cases.

Dr. Yagoubian’s dual degree training, earning both his DDS and MD from Columbia University, gives him comprehensive understanding of both the dental and medical aspects of oral surgery. This background is particularly valuable when treating younger patients who require sedation or when dealing with teeth in challenging positions.

Questions Parents Commonly Ask

• How Long Does the Entire Process Take? From initial orthodontic preparation through final positioning, the complete process typically takes 12 to 24 months. The surgical portion is just one appointment, but the orthodontic movement is gradual.
• Will My Child Need Braces Longer? Treatment time varies depending on individual circumstances. While an impacted canine can add some time to orthodontic treatment, bringing the natural tooth into position is almost always preferable to alternatives.
• What If the Tooth Won’t Move? In rare cases, an impacted tooth may be ankylosed, meaning it’s fused to surrounding bone. If this occurs, other options including extraction and eventual implant placement can be discussed.
• Is This Procedure Covered by Insurance? Most dental insurance plans cover exposure and bonding procedures. Our team can help verify your benefits and explain any out-of-pocket costs before treatment begins.

Schedule Your Consultation in Torrance

If your orthodontist has recommended evaluation for an impacted canine, the team at Torrance Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Center is here to help. Dr. Benjamin Yagoubian brings exceptional surgical skill and a gentle chairside manner to every procedure, ensuring your child receives the highest quality care in a comfortable environment.

Our Torrance office serves families throughout the South Bay, including Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, and surrounding communities. Contact Torrance Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Center today at (310) 373-0667 to schedule a consultation. We’ll answer your questions and develop a treatment plan tailored to your child’s specific needs.