If your canines remind people of Count Dracula, that can be a good thing… during Halloween, anyway. Other times? Not so much. Known as hypererupted or impacted canines, this fairly rare condition is when the upper side teeth either stick out too far or sit higher than your other teeth. It can be pretty embarrassing, especially when you have to smile for photos.
While you might think that extraction is your only option, orthodontics or oral surgery can align your teeth and give you the smile you’ve always wanted. Of course, early orthodontics could have prevented this from happening in the first place.
How Impacted Canines Occur
Your upper canines are often the last teeth to come in, so if there’s not enough space for them to do so properly, they can get stuck in the bone or jut out unnaturally. This is extremely problematic because: 1, they’re more difficult to clean, and 2, they can potentially dissolve the roots of surrounding teeth, resulting in tooth loss. You don’t want to remove perfectly good teeth, however, so extraction isn’t the best option.
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How Braces Can Help
While every situation is different and your orthodontist will prescribe a specific solution to meet your needs, there are treatment options for this condition. Most of them involve widening the jaw so all of your teeth have room to come in properly. It’s possible that you’ll need orthodontic surgery, followed up by braces. Fortunately, there are a variety of orthodontic options to fit your lifestyle.
The Importance of Early Orthodontics
If you catch the signs of hypererupted or impacted teeth early, it is possible to prevent this condition from every occurring. An orthodontist knows the signs and symptoms for these situations and can accurately predict tooth behavior based on X-rays and a visual exam. According to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), children should have their first orthodontic examination at age 7. If you or someone you know has canines that don’t appear to be coming in properly, seek treatment as early as possible.
Your canines don’t have to remind people of a vampire. Schedule a consultation with us today and you’ll be on your way toward a non-spooky smile![/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
