An impacted canine is a canine tooth that stays trapped in the jaw bone instead of erupting. At MDS Dental, Dr. Mukund locates it in 3D, creates space with braces, and after a small exposure procedure gently pulls the tooth into its correct position with light, controlled forces. Most cases take about 18 to 30 months in total.
What is an impacted canine?
The upper canines are the last front teeth to come in, usually between 11 and 13 years of age. They travel the longest path of any tooth, so they are, after wisdom teeth, the teeth most likely to get stuck. A canine can be impacted towards the palate or towards the lip, and it may be lying at an angle over the roots of the neighbouring teeth.
Leaving it untreated can lead to gaps, a retained baby canine, and in some cases damage to the roots of the incisors next to it. Canines are also key to a stable bite and a confident smile, so saving them is usually worth it.
Signs to look for
- A baby canine still present after age 13
- A bulge on the palate or high up near the lip
- One canine erupted but not the other for more than six months
- Front teeth tipping or a gap where the canine should be
How we treat it
- 3D localisationA CBCT scan shows exactly where the canine is, its angle, and its distance from neighbouring roots.
- Create spaceBraces (often self-ligating) open and hold the space the canine needs.
- Exposure and attachmentA minor procedure uncovers the crown and a tiny attachment is bonded to it.
- Guided tractionLight elastic or spring forces, sometimes anchored on a mini-screw, steer the canine around the roots and into the arch.
- FinishingThe canine is aligned, the bite is detailed, and retainers keep the result.
Can it be prevented?
Sometimes. If a canine looks off-course on an X-ray at around 10 to 12 years, removing the baby canine at the right time can let the permanent tooth correct its own path. This is one reason we recommend an orthodontic check by age 7 to 9.
Who will treat you
Dr. Mukund D. Sawant, MDS (Orthodontics) from PGIMER Chandigarh with All India Rank 1 and residency at AIIMS New Delhi, plans and supervises every impacted canines case at MDS Dental Care & Orthodontics, Badlapur.