In order for teeth to function properly, they all need to develop in proper alignment. Impacted canines may cause misalignment in the teeth. When this happens, a person’s canines fail to break through the gum line to take their permanent position with the rest of the upper front teeth.
If this happens, an oral surgeon must perform a procedure to help them erupt. Somerset Oral & Maxillofacial Group provides the surgical treatments required to expose impacted canines. We serve patients across Somerset County and Hunterdon County to help patients with this problem.
Causes of Impacted Canines
A person’s canines typically come in around the age of 13. When they come in as they should, they tighten the gap between the rest of the upper front teeth, creating better alignment. However, this does not always occur naturally, and as a result, the canines sometimes fail to break through as they should. This could happen for a number of reasons. Regardless of the reason, our doctors can help people in Somerville, Hillsborough, and Lebanon resolve their issues with impacted canines and reclaim their beautiful smiles.
While there is a multitude of reasons a person could experience impacted canines, the most common ones include, but are not limited to:
- Overcrowding of the front teeth – If a person’s front teeth are in poor alignment, they may be overcrowded and competing for space. This could result in a lack of room for the canines to come in properly, which could cause long-term growth problems.
- The presence of extra teeth – An overabundance of teeth could restrict the eruption of canines into the smile. The canines may be blocked by extra teeth, making it impossible for them to naturally grow into the smile.
- Though it is rare, an unusual growth can develop on the gums, preventing the proper eruption of canine teeth. If this occurs, impaction is most likely to follow afterward.
- Though it is not as common, if there are problems in the amount and alignment of teeth at the outset, this could also cause the canines not to erupt correctly. If a mismatch is noticed in the shape and size of teeth, a person is more likely to have issues with their canine teeth.
- The early loss of baby teeth can also cause canines not to erupt correctly. If this occurs, special attention should be paid to it early on.
- Impacted canines can also be passed along from parent to child in the form of genetic inheritance.
Regardless of the many reasons that a person could have issues with their canine teeth, our doctors in Somerset County and Hunterdon County can examine your smile to determine the effective course of action.
