Canine Exposure

It may sound like some kind of pet ailment, but canine exposure is a common dental procedure for humans. It's used to expose teeth that have become impacted, specifically the four canine teeth. Our staff at Dentalville Panorama City in Los Angeles has years of experience performing canine exposures.

Impacted Teeth

Developing teeth can encounter obstacles. If an emerging tooth has insufficient room or suggests alignment problems, or interference with the development of surrounding teeth, it's considered impacted. Failure to have impacted teeth treated could result in infections, discomfort, or misaligned teeth.

The Canines and Oral Health

Any growing tooth could become impacted, but it's most common in the wisdom and canine teeth. Canine teeth, the sharp cuspids in the lower and upper jaw, are crucial for proper biting. Canines that are missing or out of alignment could put unusual stress on the other teeth under the force of a strong bite. They can also make the smile look aesthetically unpleasing or odd.

Impacted canine teeth often occur because a baby tooth remains in the mouth where the adult canine needs to emerge. Loose adjacent teeth may also indicate an impacted canine. In most cases, it's the upper canines that become impacted, though impacted lower canines are not unusual.

Diagnosing Tooth Impaction

In order to treat the impacted canine, our Dentist has to have a precise picture of the location and extent of the impaction and it's effect on the surrounding teeth.

Our advanced imaging equipment can provide a clear understanding of the problem and the potential risks so that our dental specialist can recommend the right treatment.

These images give us precise measurements of tooth position and orientation, as well as the risks of occluding other teeth or affecting the roots of adjacent healthy teeth.

Treatments for Impacted Canines

After examination and diagnosis by our experienced dental professionals, patients and parents are presented with their treatment options, and the relative risks and benefits of each.

No treatment: No immediate treatment may be required, but our dentist will want to monitor the progress of the impacted tooth in case problems appear. Extraction: If there are no other options, the canine tooth can be extracted. Implants or partial dentures may be required. In some cases, the first premolar can be guided forward with orthodontia to replace the missing canine.

Benefits of Canine Exposure

The ideal solution is to use canine exposure, a simple procedure which involves cutting a hole into the gum that allows a passage for the canine to emerge. A dental appliance can then guide the tooth into the correct position. This is the best solution for achieving a long-term healthy oral structure and winning smile.

Make an Appointment

If you have reason to suspect that you or a family member are suffering from an impacted canine, call our dental office. We'll be happy to schedule an appointment with one of our highly trained professionals to ensure that you receive the proper diagnosis and treatment for the best outcome.