Reviewed by Dr Kathryn Stanley
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Reading Time: Four Minutes
When a permanent canine tooth does not emerge on schedule, it may be trapped beneath the gums or bone. This type of impaction can interfere with spacing and alignment if left untreated, which is why early identification plays an important role in treatment planning.
Table of Contents
Do Impacted Canines Need Treatment?
In most cases, yes. An impacted canine is a permanent tooth that cannot erupt into its normal position because something is blocking its path. Without intervention, the tooth typically remains trapped in the bone or gums and does not correct itself. Early evaluation allows dentists and orthodontists to guide eruption or plan treatment before nearby teeth are affected.
What Are Canine Teeth and Why Are They Important?
Canine teeth sit between the incisors and premolars and play a key role in guiding the bite. Their long roots help stabilize the dental arch and protect surrounding teeth during chewing and jaw movement.
Properly erupted canines support:
- Efficient tearing of food
- Balanced bite alignment
- Long-term stability of neighboring teeth
- Clear speech and jaw function
Primary canines usually appear by 16 to 20 months of age. Permanent canines tend to erupt between ages 9 and 12, after most other front teeth are already in place.
Signs a Canine Tooth May Be Impacted
Impacted canines usually cause no immediate discomfort. Dental exams and imaging, such as dental x-rays, often identify the issue before symptoms appear.
Possible signs include:
- A permanent canine that has not erupted past the expected age
- Baby canines that do not loosen on schedule
- Swelling or tenderness in the gum or palate area
- A firm bump under the gum tissue
- Shifting or crowding of nearby front teeth
Treatment Options for Impacted Canines
Treatment depends on your child’s age, the position of the tooth, and overall dental development. Pediatric dentists and orthodontists often coordinate care.
Monitoring and Space Management
When risk is identified early, conservative steps may allow the tooth to erupt naturally. These may include:
- removing retained baby teeth
- creating space with orthodontic appliances
- monitoring eruption progress over time
Surgical Exposure and Orthodontic Guidance
If the canine cannot erupt on its own, a combined approach may be recommended. This typically involves surgically exposing the tooth and using orthodontic forces to guide it into position gradually.
Dental Evaluation in Overland Park, KS
If your child’s canine teeth seem delayed or out of position, a dental evaluation can clarify whether treatment is needed. Early evaluation to identify possible canine impaction paired with early treatment prevents more complex issues later.
To book an appointment at our pediatric dental office in Overland Park, call (913) 345-0331 or visit us at 8575 W 110th St Suite 310, Overland Park, KS.
FAQs
Can a 6-year-old have an impacted tooth?
While impacted canines are more commonly identified later, eruption problems can begin developing as early as age 6. Dental X-rays at this stage may show whether a permanent tooth is off track or lacks space to erupt properly.
What age do children lose their fangs?
Baby canine teeth (sometimes called fangs), usually fall out between ages 9 and 12, but the timing can vary.
What happens if an impacted canine is left untreated?
An untreated impacted canine may remain trapped in the jaw and can contribute to crowding, damage to nearby permanent tooth roots, need to extract the permanent canine, or bite alignment issues over time.
