Understanding Impacted Eye Teeth: A Guide for Patients and Parents

Impacted eye teeth, also known as impacted canine teeth, “fangs” or cuspid teeth, are a common dental issue that can affect both children and adults. Canine teeth play a crucial role in both maintaining a balanced smile and proper bite function, yet sometimes they fail to erupt into their correct position. Canine teeth are located between the incisors and premolars, serving as strong biting teeth that help guide the rest of the dental arch into alignment. When an eye tooth doesn’t erupt naturally and becomes impacted, it can lead to various dental complications.

Imagine preparing for your child’s school photo day, only to discover their smile has unexpected gaps where those distinctive pointed teeth should be. Or perhaps you’ve noticed an unusual bulge in your own gum line that’s causing discomfort. These scenarios often point to impacted canines – those essential teeth that have veered off course during their growth.

Unlike wisdom teeth, which are often removed without major consequences, canine teeth are far too valuable to lose. These powerful teeth guide your bite alignment and provide the characteristic shape to your smile that frames your entire face. Their prominent roots also help maintain your facial structure and support neighbouring teeth, making proper treatment not just a cosmetic concern but a fundamental part of your oral health.

Understanding impacted canine teeth is essential for timely treatment and maintaining oral health. In this guide, we’ll explore what causes impacted eye teeth, why they’re important, and the treatment options available, including impacted eye tooth surgery.

What are Eye Teeth and Why Do They Become Impacted?

Eye teeth, more commonly referred to as canines, are the pointed teeth on either side of the front teeth (incisors) in both the upper and lower jaws. The upper canines, also known as maxillary cuspid teeth, are among the last to emerge and play a crucial role in both aesthetics and function. These strong biting teeth help guide the rest of the teeth into alignment and are critical for tearing food.

An impacted tooth simply means a tooth that’s blocked or ‘stuck’ under the gum and can’t erupt into its proper position in the dental arch. Impacted eye teeth are most commonly found in the upper jaw and may be positioned in the roof of the mouth (palatal impaction) or towards the cheek (buccal impaction).

There are several reasons why eye teeth become impacted, such as:

• Lack of space: If the dental arch is overcrowded, there may not be enough room for the canine teeth to emerge properly.
• Extra teeth (supernumerary teeth): The presence of additional teeth can block the eruption of the upper canine.
• Abnormal positioning: Sometimes, the developing adult teeth are present but not aligned correctly, preventing the eye tooth from erupting.
• Retained baby tooth: If the baby eye tooth doesn’t fall out in time, it can block the eruption of the adult canine tooth.

The Importance of Treating Impacted Eye Teeth

Impacted canine teeth must be treated because ignoring them can lead to various dental problems, including:

• Damage to adjacent teeth: An impacted canine can exert pressure on nearby teeth, causing root damage or shifting them out of position. If left untreated, an impacted canine can exert pressure on the adjacent incisors, potentially damaging the roots of any human teeth nearby and leading to misalignment or instability.
• Cysts and infections: A cyst may form around the impacted tooth, leading to infections that can damage the gum and surrounding bone.
• Gum disease and decay: Impacted canine teeth can create spaces that are difficult to clean, increasing the risk of decay and gum disease.

Misalignment and bite issues: Canine teeth help maintain proper alignment. When impacted, they can affect the overall structure of the dental arch.

Since the upper canine is a critical tooth for both function and aesthetics, treating impacted canine teeth is necessary to prevent complications such as misalignment, difficulty chewing, and potential damage to nearby teeth.

Treatment Options for Impacted Eye Teeth

Treatment for impacted eye teeth depends on several factors, including the tooth’s position, the patient’s age, and the available space in the dental arch. Here are the main treatment types:

No Treatment (Monitoring)

In some cases, if an impacted tooth isn’t causing any problems, it may be left in place and monitored with regular X-rays. However, this approach carries the risk of having to deal with future complications.

Orthodontic Treatment (Braces Only)

If the tooth is close to eruption, creating space using braces may allow the tooth to emerge naturally. This approach is more successful in younger patients who are developing adult teeth.

Surgical Exposure and Orthodontic Alignment

When a canine tooth is significantly impacted, oral surgery is often needed to expose the tooth. The procedure, known as surgery to expose and bracket an impacted tooth, involves:

1. Removing gum tissue or bone: The oral surgeon makes a small incision to expose the impacted tooth.
2. Attaching a bracket and chain: A special orthodontic bracket with a small but strong, biocompatible gold chain is bonded to the tooth.
3. Guiding the tooth into its proper position: Over time, the orthodontist gradually pulls the tooth into alignment using orthodontic appliances, such as wires, rubber bands and braces, guided by the chain.

This procedure is a common and effective way to move the tooth into its correct position in the dental arch.

Extraction of the Impacted Canine

If the impacted canine is in a poor position, or if the patient doesn’t want to undergo extensive orthodontic treatment, extraction may be the best option. After removal, the space may be closed with braces or filled with a dental implant or bridge.

Transplantation

In rare cases, an impacted eye tooth may be surgically removed and repositioned in the correct location. This approach has a lower success rate but may be considered in certain situations.

When is Surgery Required for Impacted Eye Teeth?

Surgery is often needed for cases where an impacted canine is completely blocked by bone, other teeth, or gum tissue. If the eye tooth doesn’t erupt on its own, surgical exposure and bracket placement are required to help guide the tooth into its proper position.

The impacted eye tooth surgery procedure typically involves:

• Anaesthesia: The procedure is usually done under local anaesthetic, but general anaesthetic may be used for complex cases.
• Exposure of the impacted tooth: A small incision is made in the gum, and if necessary, a portion of bone covering the tooth is removed.
• Attachment of a bracket and chain: The orthodontic chain is then used to gradually move the tooth into its correct position.

Advice for Parents: Recognising Potential Issues

For parents, recognising the signs of an impacted canine tooth early is essential. Warning signs include:

• Delayed eruption of permanent canine teeth (usually between 9 and 13 years old).
• Prolonged retention of the baby tooth in the canine position.
• Gaps in the dental arch where the canine should be.
• Misaligned front teeth or shifting of adjacent teeth.
• Swelling or tenderness in the gum above the missing tooth.

Parents should ensure their child has a dental assessment by the age of 7 to identify potential orthodontic issues early.

What to Expect After Surgery

After surgery, patients may experience mild discomfort, swelling, or bruising, which typically subsides within a few days. Pain-relief medication and proper oral hygiene will help with healing. Dissolvable stitches may be used, or non-dissolvable stitches may need removal at a follow-up appointment.

Patients will return to the orthodontist a few weeks after surgery to begin the gradual movement of the impacted tooth using the bracket and chain system.

Risks and Considerations

As with any oral surgery, there are potential risks, including:

• Temporary bleeding and swelling.
• Infection (this is rare with proper care).
• Loosening of the bracket and chain.
• Rare cases where the tooth is ankylosed (fused to the jawbone), preventing movement.

However, with proper treatment planning and an experienced oral surgeon and orthodontist, the success rate of treating impacted canine teeth is very high.

Conclusion

Impacted eye teeth are a common dental issue that can cause complications if left untreated. Whether through orthodontic alignment, surgical exposure, or extraction, treatment options are available to guide the tooth into its correct position and ensure a healthy, beautiful smile and well-functioning teeth. 

If you suspect an impacted eye tooth, contact Hampstead Orthodontic Practice for a free expert assessment and to learn more about your treatment options.