Impacted wisdom teeth are familiar to most people, but did you know other teeth, especially the canines, can also become trapped beneath the gum or bone and fail to erupt properly?
Canine teeth, often called “eye teeth,” are the sharp, slightly pointed teeth located on either side of the incisors in the upper and lower jaw. The upper canines play a crucial role in long-term oral health by guiding the bite, maintaining proper alignment, and contributing to the creation of a balanced, natural-looking smile.
When these teeth do not erupt as expected, the condition is known as impacted canine teeth. Roughly two to three out of every 100 patients experience this issue, most often during the early teenage years when permanent teeth are developing.
Without timely treatment, impacted canines can lead to crowding, damage to neighboring teeth, cyst formation, and more complex orthodontic challenges later.
Understanding how this condition is diagnosed and treated helps families feel confident about the next steps in care.
There are several reasons why a canine tooth might fail to emerge naturally:
Because the upper canines (maxillary canines) have a long and complex eruption path, they are far more likely to become impacted than lower canines.
An impacted canine may not always cause immediate discomfort, but over time, you might notice:
Regular dental visits are the best way to catch these issues early. Your dentist can use panoramic X-rays or 3D scans to locate an impacted canine before it causes complications.
Treating an impacted canine is typically simpler and more successful when diagnosed in the early teen years (by age 13) before the tooth becomes fully trapped in the bone. Early monitoring allows your dental team to create space for the tooth through orthodontics or plan a coordinated treatment with an oral surgeon if surgical exposure is needed.
Without timely care, impacted canines can:
At Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, our board-certified surgeons collaborate closely with orthodontists to correct impacted teeth and guide them into their proper position.
After imaging confirms the exact location of the impacted tooth, your surgeon may recommend a surgical exposure and bonding procedure.
Here’s how it works:
Most impacted canines are located on the palatal (roof of the mouth) side of the upper jaw, though some are positioned higher in the bone or toward the outer (facial) surface. Each case is unique, and your treatment plan will be customized based on the tooth’s location and your overall orthodontic goals.
Exposure and bonding are typically performed in an outpatient setting.
Patients are kept comfortable with appropriate anesthesia, and most return to normal routines within a few days. Mild swelling or soreness is common but manageable with medication and post-operative instructions.
The orthodontist will then begin the gradual process of guiding the tooth into place.
In some situations, the canine may be severely displaced, fused to bone, or unlikely to move successfully. When this occurs, alternative plans such as removal and replacement may be discussed.
Your surgeon and orthodontist will review imaging and explain the best path forward.
Impacted canines are frequently positioned high in the jaw and close to the roots of other teeth. Accessing them safely requires specialized training and experience.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are uniquely qualified to:
The goal is always the same: bring the tooth into position with minimal risk and maximum long-term success.
Once properly aligned, the canine tooth contributes not only to a symmetrical smile but also to proper bite function and long-term oral health. Patients who undergo this collaborative treatment can expect improved comfort, facial balance, and a reduced risk of complications down the line.
If you or your child has been told you have an impacted canine, or you suspect one tooth hasn’t erupted properly, early evaluation is key.
The experienced, board-certified surgeons at Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery can assess your situation and work closely with your orthodontist.
Contact our office today to schedule an appointment and learn how we can create a personalized treatment plan to guide the tooth safely into place.