Impacted Upper Incisors and Maxillary Canines
Upper incisors are often impacted due to trauma, infection of the baby tooth, or early loss of the baby tooth. The follicle is a protective sac surrounding the developing tooth, and traumatic events can damage this follicle, disrupting the tooth’s development or eruption.
Facts About Maxillary Canines:
- Eruption Age: Upper or maxillary canines typically erupt around age 13.
- Last Anterior Tooth: They are the last of the upper anterior teeth to emerge.
- Prevalence: Impacted maxillary canines occur in approximately 1% of the general population.
- Orientation: Maxillary canines are often oriented upside down (palatally displaced).
What Causes the Impaction of Maxillary Canines?
Several factors can prevent maxillary canines from properly erupting, including:
- Insufficient Space: There may not be enough space in the dental arch for the canine to emerge.
- Missing or Peg-shaped Lateral Incisors: If you have peg-shaped or missing maxillary lateral incisors, your chances of having impacted canines increase.
- Retained Baby Teeth or Extra Teeth: If baby teeth are retained or there are supernumerary (extra) teeth, they may block the path of the canine as it attempts to erupt.
- Palatally Inclined Teeth: Teeth that are angled towards the roof of the mouth (palatally inclined) may have difficulty erupting, even if there is sufficient space.
What is “Expose and Bond” Treatment?
The “Expose and Bond” procedure is used to bring an impacted tooth into proper alignment. Here’s how it works:
- Exposure: The impacted tooth is surgically exposed through the gum tissue.
- Attachment of Gold Chain: A small gold chain is temporarily attached to the exposed tooth using a special adhesive.
- Brackets and Wires: The gold chain is then connected to an orthodontic bracket or wire.
- Healing: Dissolvable stitches are used to close the incision, and after about two weeks, the chain is activated by your orthodontist.
- Gradual Eruption: A rubber band is attached to the gold chain and the wire, and over the course of several months, the impacted canine is slowly guided into position.
Importance of Early Recognition
Early detection and treatment of impacted canines are crucial for successful outcomes. If the impaction is not addressed early, the tooth may become ankylosed (fused to the bone), making it difficult or impossible to move into position later in life. In these cases, the only remaining options might be to remove the impacted tooth and replace it with a dental implant or fixed bridge.
Why Choose Song Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons?
Song Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons are specialists in the treatment of impacted teeth. If you’re dealing with an impacted tooth or canine, we can provide a comprehensive evaluation and treatment plan tailored to your needs. Contact us today for a consultation and take the first step toward restoring your smile.