question about invisalign and impacted canines

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#1 Post by **Tsunami** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 1:56 am

is it possible for invisalign to treat canines that are leveled up high and out of place from other teeth (similar to this picture):

i've heard that there are limitations with invisalign, so i was just wondering if this was out of the possibilities for invisalign treatment.

#2 Post by **bbsadmin** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 9:43 am

As far as I know, this type of problem needs to be treated with conventional braces. I don't think that Invisalign has any way to pull down impacted canines.

#3 Post by **rsprouse** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 8:26 pm

Invisalign can do some pretty impressive things, but one thing they have you stay away from is rotating canines and trying to move them large distances. Some clinicians will try to treat a case like this with Invisalign, but I would recommend my patients go the traditional bracket route from the beginning as you will most likely end up in brackets to correct the problem.

Regards,
Rory

#4 Post by **Tsunami** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 9:57 pm

thanks for the feedback.

another question: would it be possible to have some sort of dental surgery to move teeth in that position down without braces?

#5 Post by **Tsunami** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 10:09 pm

also, how long would it take to treat this problem with traditional braces, usually? is this a rather serious problem that could take years or could it just be fixed in just a few weeks/months, roughly?

#6 Post by **bbsadmin** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 11:26 pm

Tsunami,

These are questions you should ask an orthodontist, because really someone needs to look at your teeth in person to be able to know what would be possibe in your specific case. You should make an appointment for a consultation with one or two orthodontists in your area.

Remember that surgery of any kind is invasive and has risks. I can understand if you would rather not get braces, but please think twice about having surgery to save yourself from getting braces.

I know that there have been several readers on this forum who have had impacted canines. They were treated with traditional braces. Sometimes it can take a while to pull those canines down. And remember, you also need to make room for them and incorporate them into your bite. That is what braces help your mouth to do. You have to look at the whole picture.

I'm going to move your topic to the main Metal Mouth Forum so that people with impacted canines can see this post.

Please, readers who have had impacted canines, add your comments to this thread! How long did it take to pull down your canines?

#7 Post by **Tsunami** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 5:14 pm

Thanks for the posts guys.

I don't think a problem for me would be not having enough space in my mouth for the canines to come down. In fact, I think that I may have too much room.

You see, I haven't been to a dentist since I was fourteen (I know this is bad, but my parents just couldn't be bothered to take me to a dentist and I have developed a case of 'dentophobia' over the years). From what I remember, the original plan for my teeth was that my canines would come in and gradually move into place the gaps in my top four teeth (which are still there). However, I was late in losing my baby teeth and my adult canines grew in spite of the fact that my baby teeth were still there. That's when I went to a dentist to get my baby teeth removed, a scenerio in which my dentist said nothing about braces.

That's my story, at least for now. I may post some pictures later if I can find any. One of my canines actually came in pretty well, but the other one still seems to be stuck in my gums, similar to the illustration I posted (although not as extreme of a case). I used to be somewhat frustrated at my parents for not fixing this, since they had all the resources in the world to pay for treatment; they just couldn't be bothered.

So I'm willing to do anything at this point. I just don't want to find myself in a position in which it takes years and years to move a tooth less than an inch or so, but if I have no other option, then I guess I could be willing to see an orthodontist in the near future.

#8 Post by **SueFromNJ** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 10:08 pm

Wow! That picture above is somewhat similar to what I had, but mine was worse. I had a "fang" (canine) on upper and lower teeth that stuck out way in front and above the other teeth. But my case was more severe, as there was no gap at all for that canine to move into, so basically my canine and lateral were right on top of eachother. And everything else was crooked and overlapped, too. Here's a photo of my original teeth. I think it makes my teeth look better than they really were:

If you have a canine that sticks out or up, be prepared for years of braces and devices. There is no easy fix for bringing a canine down a big distance. Cosmetic dentistry probably won't help either. My case was so bad that I needed 8 extractions, and no wonder! Glad to hear you think you have more space than I did, as that may avoid extractions and speed things along.

Also like to add that I completely understand what you wrote about your parents. Mine were the same - they had the money, they simply refused to help me look better. Even to this day, my parents NEVER saw getting braces as their responsibility. It was my problem and I had to accept the way I looked (even though every other kid I knew got braces and had great smiles afterwards). What a great message to send to your own child, that they aren't worth "fixing". And it hurts for a long time, as I am still bitter towards my parents sometimes.

Hope you find a great ortho and get on the way to the smile you want!

#9 Post by **Tsunami** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 10:44 pm

Actually, scratch what I said. My canines came down as far as they'll go (I just noticed this after seven plus years). The problem is that they need to be moved back into position with the rest of my teeth.

So now, how long does it take to move a tooth back (I'm not looking for a definite time, just a rough estimate). Also, could devices other than traditional braces be effective in moving teeth back (just picture that original picture posted, only the teeth are down as far as they go).

This will be my last question. I promise.

#10 Post by **invisagirl** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 8:46 am

My canines were high and needed to be "pushed" back in line and my sentence in braces is 1.5 years. Of course that's after 2.5 years of Invisalign. I think the bottom line is that if one tooth is out of line there are probably other problems also so your looking at a year in braces at least.

#11 Post by **tjw1985** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 12:06 pm

I hope someone can give me some advice. I have today been advised that I am a suitable candidate for Invisalign treatment. I have a similar problem with one canine (top right) as in the first diagram on this thread. My dentist has told me that he would have to remove the tooth behing the canine (a pre-molar?) to make room.

Is it a good idea to take my dentists advice and go ahead with Invisalign? Has anyone heard of any sucessful cases where this problem has been solved with Invisalign?

Any information or feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Tom

#12 Post by **invisagirl** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 1:14 pm

tjw1985,

I'd seriously think twice about signing on to that treatment! Just some things that popped into my mind: a) what would they do about the other side? b) traditional braces have an extremely high success rate of bringing down canines without removing teeth c) Invisalign may or may not solve your issues but are you willing to lose a tooth even if it doesn't work in the end?

I'd honestly say that if you really want to go forward with the plan get a second opinion just to make sure the Invisalign plan is kosher.

#13 Post by **tjw1985** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 1:26 pm

I've posted also in the invisalign forum, with a photo, so you can see exactly what I meant. Thanks for your feedback. I am certainly having doubts about invisalign and want to get a second opinion from an orthodontist.

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question about invisalign and impacted canines

question about invisalign and impacted canines

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