IMPACTED CANINES CLUB

[jenna88]

Jenna88, your teeth are going to look great - they're a good shape and so white!

Here's my pic with the grill. Not sure how they'll get the space for the adult tooth but fingers crossed.

Hi Siobhan, have you seen much movement since you got your grills on he he? I will be having a ceramic upper and a metal lower

Hi Jenna,

I've seen a fair bit of movement although some of it's pretty subtle. Initially, I just noticed more space in the back teeth when flossing but now a lot of the teeth are rotating or straightening out. My bite is also becoming much more level, although still a ways to go there. I'm very happy with the ceramic uppers and would have been fine with metal lowers. Still can't wait to be done with the whole process, though

I bet you can't! what is your predicted treatment time? Mine could be a good few years but I reckon it's an excellent investment. Because of the crowding on my lower teeth I often struggle with staining and build up of tartar behind the teeth . I'm so glad I found this forum, it's lovely to hear from people who are going through similar experiences, makes you feel your not the only one and people understand what you are going through.

[Siobhan]

Agreed, this forum is the best. Also agreed that it's an excellent investment. My treatment is supposed to be 18 months total. My ortho said we'll try the canine exposure at 8 months and if there's no movement within 6 months, we move to option B, which is an implant. Have you been given an estimated duration yet?

[jenna88]

Agreed, this forum is the best. Also agreed that it's an excellent investment. My treatment is supposed to be 18 months total. My ortho said we'll try the canine exposure at 8 months and if there's no movement within 6 months, we move to option B, which is an implant. Have you been given an estimated duration yet?

My ortho said it could range from 18 months to 3 years, it all depends on how quickly the canine / teeth move. My ultimate goal is everything moving into correct positions so I am not too concerned about the treatment time. I would rather be able to have my own tooth in its proper place so fingers crossed.

[Siobhan]

Absolutely. You're doing the right thing and I'm sure you'll be happy with the results.

[millersgirl]

Hi guys!
I'm the newest member of the impacted canines club, at 27 years old.
I got my top braces put on 3 weeks ago, will have my baby tooth pulled with exposure this Friday and next week Wednesday I get my bottom set of braces. My orthodontist and surgeon keep saying I'm pretty old to be having the exposure procedure but that it's worth a shot. I'm just trying to keep positive and not get too freaked out by the procedure. I've watched several youtube videos and feel comfortable knowing what to expect.
To those asking, this procedure was quoted to be around $1200 and will pay about $200 after insurance. I opted for a local instead of IV anesthetics. The idea of sedation freaks me out. Looking forward to finally taking care of this.

[Siobhan]

Hi guys!
I'm the newest member of the impacted canines club, at 27 years old.
I got my top braces put on 3 weeks ago, will have my baby tooth pulled with exposure this Friday and next week Wednesday I get my bottom set of braces. My orthodontist and surgeon keep saying I'm pretty old to be having the exposure procedure but that it's worth a shot. I'm just trying to keep positive and not get too freaked out by the procedure. I've watched several youtube videos and feel comfortable knowing what to expect.
To those asking, this procedure was quoted to be around $1200 and will pay about $200 after insurance. I opted for a local instead of IV anesthetics. The idea of sedation freaks me out. Looking forward to finally taking care of this.

Good luck Millersgirl! Welcome to the club and keep us posted on how it goes.

[jenna88]

Hi guys!
I'm the newest member of the impacted canines club, at 27 years old.
I got my top braces put on 3 weeks ago, will have my baby tooth pulled with exposure this Friday and next week Wednesday I get my bottom set of braces. My orthodontist and surgeon keep saying I'm pretty old to be having the exposure procedure but that it's worth a shot. I'm just trying to keep positive and not get too freaked out by the procedure. I've watched several youtube videos and feel comfortable knowing what to expect.
To those asking, this procedure was quoted to be around $1200 and will pay about $200 after insurance. I opted for a local instead of IV anesthetics. The idea of sedation freaks me out. Looking forward to finally taking care of this.

Hi there,

Good luck with your surgery next week , please do update with how it went, I get mine exposed on Feb 21st eek! My procedure is going to be slightly different to yours, I havent got my braces on yet they will come at a later date. I am 25 and my ortho/oral surgeon are very confident that the procedure will be a success so fingers crossed! I will be having IV sedation, they recommended this as I will be in a very relaxed state so I dont mind the sound of that

[mypearlywhites]

Hi all!

I'm 24 yrs old and I've had braces for 13 months now. I would've been done months ago...but i have an impacted top left canine. :(

I had my exposure surgery on Nov 19, 2013. The surgery wasn't bad at all...and was def the easiest part of this process so far, in my opinion. I got two links off in December and then another at the end of January. I know there's been progress but I just want to see my tooth! PLEASE!!!

This waiting game is killing me. Seriously.

I'm so glad I found this forum. I've read and reread all the postings dozens of times (all 18 pgs) and your stories give me hope.

I know I'm only three months into this but I'm worried as to why my tooth hasn't broke through my gums yet. How long did it take for you guys to physically see your impacted tooth?

On the other hand, I don't mind braces. I kinda like 'em!

[jenna88]

Hi all!

I'm 24 yrs old and I've had braces for 13 months now. I would've been done months ago...but i have an impacted top left canine.

I had my exposure surgery on Nov 19, 2013. The surgery wasn't bad at all...and was def the easiest part of this process so far, in my opinion. I got two links off in December and then another at the end of January. I know there's been progress but I just want to see my tooth! PLEASE!!!

This waiting game is killing me. Seriously.

I'm so glad I found this forum. I've read and reread all the postings dozens of times (all 18 pgs) and your stories give me hope.

I know I'm only three months into this but I'm worried as to why my tooth hasn't broke through my gums yet. How long did it take for you guys to physically see your impacted tooth?

On the other hand, I don't mind braces. I kinda like 'em!

Hi there, i can't believe how many people have these blummin' naughty impacted canines!!!

My surgery is coming up soon! Did you have IV sedation, and how did you feel afterwards? were you ok eating etc? What kind of angle is your canine on? Sorry for all the questions lol

[millersgirl]

Well guys, it's been about 9 hours since my surgery. I'm not going to lie, it hurts...a lot. I did a local so I was awake for the whole thing. The procedure itself was a breeze. The whole thing took probably 45 minutes. My surgeon made the comment that my tooth was deep and I know there was some chipping away at the bone. The area from where my baby tooth was pulled doesn't hurt at all but the roof of my mouth feels like it's ON FIRE. Imagine biting into a hot piece of pizza and completely scalding the roof of your mouth...that's what this feels like. Luckily, because it was a local, I was able to eat a huge breakfast. I'm kind of hungry now and really wanting another pain killer but the thought of food horrifies me so I just made a peanut butter, banana, milk and some ice cubes smoothie in my nutribullet. It was thick, cold and satisfying. Hopefully this pain lessens by tomorrow, I'm scheduled to work :/
I have to say I am please that with the braces and such, the missing tooth really isn't THAT noticeable. ugh. I am really hoping this tooth behaves and comes down. My surgeon kept emphasizing that this will be a challenge.

[mypearlywhites]

Hey jenna88,

I had general IV sedation...I wanted to be knocked out completely. After my surgery, I didn't feel much pain...some discomfort for the first day but not bad. I ate mashed potatoes and drank smoothies for like 3 days. Helped me lose some weight before the holidays lol.

Originally, I was told by the first oral surgeon I visited that I should just have my canine removed. He said that it was too close to the roots of my incisor and that he wouldn't risk it. You have no idea how depressed I was when he suggested I just give up on my canine...but I visited another surgeon and he said, it's worth a shot. He explained that we should try to save the canine at all costs and so I went with him. :)

So my canine was near the roots of the adjacent tooth and was turned a full 180 degrees. But I was told that that is a simple thing to correct once we get the tooth in place. I'm not quite sure what "angle" but I hope my description was helpful!

Honestly, I'm so thankful that I didn't go with the first oral surgeon. I am so against getting an implant. I just hope and pray that this will all be worth it...one day I'm gonna be rockin' a full smile! No more gaps!!!! WOOHOOOOO

Hang in there millersgirl! It'll get better in a couple days...and welcome to the waiting game! :D

[HannahG]

I had 4 impacted canines. My upper impacted canines came down without a problem. But the lower impacted canines are the ones that have given me the most trouble. One lower canine was ankylosed meaning it was fused to the bone and my oral surgeon removed it and I will have to get a an implant. My other lower canine has erupted a little above the gum line but doesn't seem to be moving anymore. So I am concerned that it will stop erupting and I will eventually have to get 2 implants. Impacted canines are the worst . I am suppose to be getting my braces off in July but because of my impacted canine problems my treatment will be extended.

[millersgirl]

Hey guys.
So the pain is better. It was actually better right away the next day. My gums are very swollen and that is really my only discomfort. I'm still not really eating much...just going for higher calorie fruit and veggie smoothies. I go to the orthodontist on Wednesday (it's Sunday night) to have my bottom braces installed and hopefully have the bands attached to activate my canine. I'm very anxious to get going and see if this is going to work! My surgeon told me the tooth was far back and kind of deep in the bone but that it was not alkalized and that it moved when he tried to loosen it.

[jenna88]

Hey guys.
So the pain is better. It was actually better right away the next day. My gums are very swollen and that is really my only discomfort. I'm still not really eating much...just going for higher calorie fruit and veggie smoothies. I go to the orthodontist on Wednesday (it's Sunday night) to have my bottom braces installed and hopefully have the bands attached to activate my canine. I'm very anxious to get going and see if this is going to work! My surgeon told me the tooth was far back and kind of deep in the bone but that it was not alkalized and that it moved when he tried to loosen it.

Hi there, glad your exposure went ok and the pain has settled a little. I will be interested to hear your progress in getting your cheeky canine down!

My orthodontist is taking a whole different approach to my procedure....I am having my tooth exposed on the 21st February, then about a week later I will have a quad helix expander fitted and whatever device they are attaching to my canine to pull it into place. They aren't pulling my baby canine until my adult one is ready to be brought into line so this will all go on 'under cover' so to speak. Then I will have my braces fitted perhaps autumn of this year depending on how quickly my tooth moves.

[jenna88]

Hey jenna88,

I had general IV sedation...I wanted to be knocked out completely. After my surgery, I didn't feel much pain...some discomfort for the first day but not bad. I ate mashed potatoes and drank smoothies for like 3 days. Helped me lose some weight before the holidays lol.

Originally, I was told by the first oral surgeon I visited that I should just have my canine removed. He said that it was too close to the roots of my incisor and that he wouldn't risk it. You have no idea how depressed I was when he suggested I just give up on my canine...but I visited another surgeon and he said, it's worth a shot. He explained that we should try to save the canine at all costs and so I went with him.

So my canine was near the roots of the adjacent tooth and was turned a full 180 degrees. But I was told that that is a simple thing to correct once we get the tooth in place. I'm not quite sure what "angle" but I hope my description was helpful!

Honestly, I'm so thankful that I didn't go with the first oral surgeon. I am so against getting an implant. I just hope and pray that this will all be worth it...one day I'm gonna be rockin' a full smile! No more gaps!!!! WOOHOOOOO

Hang in there millersgirl! It'll get better in a couple days...and welcome to the waiting game!

Hi there, I am pleased to hear that the aftermath of the surgery isn't too bad.

I visited an orthodontist in the summer of last year and they suggested an implant, i was really against this after having a consultation with a dental implant clinic as they explained that I would probably need to get it renewed every 8-10 years as the tooth would probably not match my other teeth etc. Also in the latter years of life the gum could recede and look nasty round the edge!! They said that my impacted canine was in a very tricky position and they weren't prepared to carry out an exposure treatment....so i went elsewhere and i am really glad that i did, i think its fate that these things happen. When your ortho says they are willing to have a go its such a relief! Yes the treatment time is long but if it means you get to keep your original tooth and its sat in its correct place then that's worth any amount of time. If you look on page 17 of this thread i uploaded a picture of my xray showing my impacted canine.