IMPACTED CANINES CLUB

[Shelleyt]

Did anyone who had their extraction/exposure surgery done some time after having their braces put on experience the baby tooth becoming "loose"? I have had mine on for three months to make space and now my baby tooth is very loose- not sure it will make it until mid-January for the procedure.

[impacted4lyfe]

@Shelleyt I've had my braces on for almost 8 months now, and just had the exposure surgery and baby tooth removed a few days ago. I don't think mine ever felt loose, but I've heard it's normal for the teeth to feel that way sometimes. I would just talk to your ortho about it on your next appointment! My baby tooth was very small but probably would've stayed in its position for several more years had I not gotten braces...but I think age and the current situation of your teeth play a role in that too.
If it does happen to come out on its own, I'd say that's not necessarily a bad thing! That's one less thing they'll have to remove during your procedure :) Also, I was a little concerned about having the gap after surgery so my ortho asked me to save my baby tooth. They are planning to use it as a temporary tooth in my smile until the adult canine comes down enough to be brought into place.

[UltraViolet]

Congratulations Ditsy! Happy for you!



Take a huge bite into a burger on my behalf please!

[ditsy]

Well, Friday was "brace off day"....didn't happen!!!!
My ortho said she was surprised they managed to book me in so quick and still feels there is room for improvement. She said it was my choice, my bonded retainer wasn't ready just yet but they could do it off a reel of wire. I said if she thinks they can still be improved then I was happy to wait until they're perfect rather than rushing to get it off and unhappy in the long term.
My next appointment is February, that's when they next booked me in for it to be taken off. If it's not exactly what I want then she said always say because things can always be improved. I'm a bit sad but I would rather wait xxx

[elliexx]

I have 2 upper impacted canines and the orthodontist has tried a new method of pulling them down today. She's used a wire with sort of like paperclip looking objects on them made out of metal. Anyone got a clue what they are?

[doubler]

This is my canine. It has moved alot. But it also messed up one of my front tooth.. it is moving up as you can see from the pic. Is it normal?
http://i67.tinypic.com/29zsrup.jpg

[Shelleyt]

Doubler- sounds about right. My upper partially impacted canine did the same thing to a lesser extent- it was 1/3 of the way down when I got my braces on and now it is 1-2 mm from being fully in place, but the force of pulling that canine down did pull my front tooth and incisor on that side up some, so while I am happy to have all my teeth in place on top (still haven't even had the lower fully impacted canine exposed yet after 3.5 months in braces) I am hoping the next adjustment straightens out the two teeth that moved!

[doubler]

[quote="Shelleyt"]Doubler- sounds about right. My upper partially impacted canine did the same thing to a lesser extent- it was 1/3 of the way down when I got my braces on and now it is 1-2 mm from being fully in place, but the force of pulling that canine down did pull my front tooth and incisor on that side up some, so while I am happy to have all my teeth in place on top (still haven't even had the lower fully impacted canine exposed yet after 3.5 months in braces) I am hoping the next adjustment straightens out the two teeth that moved![/quote]
Such a relief to hear this!

[Krista25]

I got my braces on at 24, and am just over 11 months in! I have an impacted canine and have surgery next Thursday for the exposure and bonding. Based on what I have read, it sounds like the tooth should move and we can move forward with "plan A" of keeping my canine and pulling the premolar behind it for room. If for some reason the canine is ankylosed, the surgeon will be pulling out the canine all together and we will just close up the small gap they created for the surgery. Unfortunately, insurance is only going to help pay if the canine is pulled out, not for exposure and bond. It is a very significant change in price, $1,650 out of pocket to keep the canine, or $350 to pull it out completely. However, after reading up on this surgery it certainly sounds like canines are very valuable and worth keeping in your mouth (once you get them in their proper place).

Do any of you have any feedback on if it is actually worth it to pay that much extra (on top of the cost for braces, which adults in braces know insurance is of no help), just to keep an upper canine? I have already had five other teeth pulled (2 were wisdom teeth), this time last year, and I'm also a firm believer in doing things right the first time. I figure I'm already paying a ton of money for these teeth, so I may as well invest in the surgery that will be the best for my mouth in the long run. Any feedback or words of wisdom from those who've gone before me? I'd love to hear it! Thanks guys!

[UltraViolet]

Just got back from my first adjustment of the year! I am officially on the very last link for both of my teeth. Both canines are very close to the gums, one seems to be nearer as the area is swollen from it trying to break through. My ortho says by the next adjustment the teeth should be poking out and if not we will cut the gums a little bit to help it. No big deal apparently, but l hate knives and needles. I am still on the piggy back method and it still hurts like hell Hopefully this time next year l will be reminiscing about this experience as a distant memory.

Sorry can't help you with that question Krista, I had to fund my own treatment.

I agree with you Ditsy, you have already come so far might as well wait a few more weeks to get the best results possible. I am still happy that you are almost at the end of your journey though!

[satinythrasher]

krista25, the way i look at it, it's not that you'd be saving some money if you pulled the canine instead of exposing it - because if you pulled it, it'd still need replaced in some way for you to retain the functionality of a canine (like implant), which would certainly add to the expense. may as well try to do it properly.

[KayleBunny]

Hi guys, Kayle here
Just had my braces put on a few weeks back and the impacted canines exposure shortly after. Both my canines were impacted and my baby canines were still in place so they had to remove the babies then cut away to find the adult canines. For about a week they put some dental putty/filling stuff in the holes to protect them abit before a few days later i got the brackets attached and the chain connecting them to the braces.
Healing has been okay, however the holes are quite large (i guess because of the baby teeth being removed aswell but idk)
Ive heard a few of you say they were closed up quite well but mine are open? Is that normal? From where the baby canines were extending to the roof of my mouth i have two triangular pits that i can slide my tongue into quite easily.
Ive also had some random mucus-y bleeding when i prod them too much and they dont seem to want to stay clean e___e
How do i keep food out of there and help them heal faster? Im anxious that im not cleaning them enough for them to heal but i just end up making myself bleed if i try manually scrubbing the area. Theres no food chunks but i do get a fine layer of yellow goop sometimes around the edges i assume from food, do i have to keep it completely sterile and scrub it or will it be alright as long as theres no actual food bits? Sorry for tmi
Any tips on how to handle the general situation is appreciated, i got no idea what im doing haha.

[UltraViolet]

My left canine is now three quarters out! It now has a bracket attached to it and funny thing; it's the one they were worried about that came out first.

Now the other one is still firmly in the gums but linked to the last chain and I sometimes feel it moving so I am not worried too much, although I would appreciate if it didn't take it's sweet time

I am happy with my progress considering my age (29 this year) hopefully I will be out of braces by December, I still have an overbite to correct so magic won't happen.

Welcome to @Kayle

I don't know if you still have the problem you mentioned as it has been a week, but have you tried mouthwash? Just after my surgery I brushed very little near the surgery area and used a prescribed mouthwash so I wouldn't disturb the healing. From there the gap healed fine and covered up now I can brush it and keep it clean easily. You would have to rinse hourly though and try as much as possible not to have any food slip into the area so I would place food right at the end of my mouth. Tedious.

[lish]

Hi

I had my impacted canine exposed in Feb and the button and chain attached. I am hoping that it will be in place soon

[Shelleyt]

What was everyone's downtime from the extract/expose procedure? I'm having mine done at the end of the month on a Friday morning and am having some friends in starting Friday night. I'm guessing I may have some pain and should avoid alcohol and some foods, but would I feel well enough to socialize?