IMPACTED CANINES CLUB

[jenna88]

jenna88: Ah yes I see the movement
But what is that metal bridge apparatus that goes from the left side of your mouth to the right? I've noticed some other people on here have it as well but I haven't.[/quote]

Hi sorry it's took so long for me to reply, I haven't been on the forum for ages! The metal apparatus is a quad helix expander. This is fixed to my second back molars and they act as anchors for when pressure is applied to my impacted canine. I had an appointment yesterday and he has applied a double wammy of pressure and i can really feel it in my molars today, they are painful.

[millersgirl]

Ahh Jenna your starting xray looks a lot like mine. Mine is maybe a touch worse. I get my progress pano Tuesday and I'm nervous. At my last appointment my ortho made the comment that my tooth didn't make much progress. I'm tired of the big gap. I am ready for this to wrap up.

[Siobhan]

Hi, I'm a first time poster.

I, too, had an impacted canine and got braces in January of '14. I was told it would take quite awhile for my tooth to come down because I was 42 years old. They weren't kidding. I'm in my tenth month and my canine has made it's appearance within the past few days. Wahoo!

I'm a little worried though. I can see a little more than the tip of the tooth, and it's kind of a medium to darkish gray color. Not white at all. Has anybody else experienced this. My ortho appointment isn't for another 2 weeks and I'm a little bothered by this. Anybody have some reassuring words?

Rick

Hi Rick, congrats on your tooth coming down. I'm 43 and also have an impacted canine that's on its way. Mine is coming out the front of the gum and a little underneath. The bit that's coming through the bottom seems less white but I think that's because of the hardware and gum. I wouldn't worry about the color of your tooth. You could always call your ortho and ask. Good luck!

[Siobhan]

About six weeks ago, I broke off the chain on my impacted tooth trying to clip a pokey wire. There was enough tooth showing that my ortho was able to put a button on the tooth. Within less than a week there was a lot of tooth showing (picture attached). Since then, it's continued to move and at my appointment today, they removed the button and attached a bracket. They also gave me lots of wax and numbing gel so I'm waiting for the pain to set in. I'm thrilled the tooth is moving but still confused as to the direction of the movement - it's mostly out, not down - so I'm not sure what happens to the gum.

[millersgirl]

Had my progress pano today. Ortho told me to start thinking about an implant. Before I left though he wanted a couple more xrays. The one I'm posting made me feel like there is still hope. Ortho said we can try chain method for six more months. Keeping my fingers crossed...getting an implant with a bone graft does not sound fun. Or cheap.

[jenna88]

Had my progress pano today. Ortho told me to start thinking about an implant. Before I left though he wanted a couple more xrays. The one I'm posting made me feel like there is still hope. Ortho said we can try chain method for six more months. Keeping my fingers crossed...getting an implant with a bone graft does not sound fun. Or cheap.

Hi Millersgirl, keep positive if you can see slight movement on the X-ray then surely it's a reason to keep on with the traction. I had an appointment 1 week ago for an adjustment on the tension and for the following few days my bracketed teeth which the quad helix is attached too really hurt, they were so sensitive when eating. I don't mind though because that's just a result of the force being applied. It's a slow process and my ortho is happy to keep applying more tension every 6-8 weeks so I'm happy with that.

[mellyd107]

Hello everyone, I just found this board today and I couldn't be more happy! I had a palatally impacted canine that has erupted over the past few years. It is on my right side and I still have my baby tooth intact. I just turned 21 and am becoming more self conscious than ever since it is some what noticeable when doing certain things (laughing, yawning, etc.). It has also become somewhat of an annoyance leaving cuts on my tongue or being in the way of chewing/eating certain foods. I have gone to a few dentists for consultations and all have said the same thing.. ortho for braces. I am petrified and so worried about how I will look/be seen with braces!! I always wanted them as a child as my teeth had minor problems then but my parents could never afford them. All of my teeth are straight besides the one that is next to my baby tooth, it is becoming crooked from there being little gaps in between. How long do you think this process would take seeing as my canine tooth is fully grown and erupted just needs to be moved into the correct place? Thank you for any responses, I really appreciate any insight and to calm my nerves!

[Siobhan]

Hello everyone, I just found this board today and I couldn't be more happy! I had a palatally impacted canine that has erupted over the past few years. It is on my right side and I still have my baby tooth intact. I just turned 21 and am becoming more self conscious than ever since it is some what noticeable when doing certain things (laughing, yawning, etc.). It has also become somewhat of an annoyance leaving cuts on my tongue or being in the way of chewing/eating certain foods. I have gone to a few dentists for consultations and all have said the same thing.. ortho for braces. I am petrified and so worried about how I will look/be seen with braces!! I always wanted them as a child as my teeth had minor problems then but my parents could never afford them. All of my teeth are straight besides the one that is next to my baby tooth, it is becoming crooked from there being little gaps in between. How long do you think this process would take seeing as my canine tooth is fully grown and erupted just needs to be moved into the correct place? Thank you for any responses, I really appreciate any insight and to calm my nerves!

It's hard to say how long you would need braces for but it is good news that the tooth has erupted. This should help cut down on time. I would talk to an orthodontist who will be able to give you a better estimate. I would encourage you to do this now. I understand being self-conscious about braces but better to do it now, particularly since the tooth is causing movement, than later. You'll be done before you know it and I promise it's not that bad.

[millie23]

Hello everyone,

I am a first time poster, and unfortunately a member of the impacted canines club. :( I am 32 years old and have had my top braces on since August of this year. I had my canine exposure surgery a few days ago, where my oral surgeon also removed my two baby canines (my right adult canine decided to come down behind my teeth, so it just needs to be attached to the bracket and moved into its rightful position) as well as an impacted upper right wisdom tooth. As you can imagine, I am feeling quite tender and sore.

The plan is to go back to the Ortho in two weeks time to get the canine tooth activated... so here's hoping that it all goes to plan!

Melissa

[28andbraced]

Hello everyone, I just found this board today and I couldn't be more happy! I had a palatally impacted canine that has erupted over the past few years. It is on my right side and I still have my baby tooth intact. I just turned 21 and am becoming more self conscious than ever since it is some what noticeable when doing certain things (laughing, yawning, etc.). It has also become somewhat of an annoyance leaving cuts on my tongue or being in the way of chewing/eating certain foods. I have gone to a few dentists for consultations and all have said the same thing.. ortho for braces. I am petrified and so worried about how I will look/be seen with braces!! I always wanted them as a child as my teeth had minor problems then but my parents could never afford them. All of my teeth are straight besides the one that is next to my baby tooth, it is becoming crooked from there being little gaps in between. How long do you think this process would take seeing as my canine tooth is fully grown and erupted just needs to be moved into the correct place? Thank you for any responses, I really appreciate any insight and to calm my nerves!

Welcome!

I was in the same position: at 28, my baby tooth was intact and my canine erupted on its own. We put braces on in Feb 2014, pulled my baby tooth and started activation of the half-erupted permanent tooth in May 2014, and my canine should be in place within the next month or two. Trust me: the fact that it is coming down on its own means that you will likely have a shorter "sentence" in braces. My ortho told me 12-18 months originally (we are not fixing anything else about my bite--just moving this tooth into position) and we seem to be on track for that. You absolutely need to see an orthodontist and have a consultation; they will be able to give you an idea of how long it will take, since each person's case is different. Be aware that they cannot know how much resistance they will face from your tooth until they start working on it, though, so the initial treatment time estimate is just that--an estimate. But if this tooth is coming in, you must deal with it one way or another!

I will be honest: I am horribly self-conscious about my braces and hate having to wear them. My teeth were actually very pretty and straight before, and I never minded that I still had a baby tooth, so this has been a BIG adjustment. BUT, it is absolutely worth it because this is what is best for my dental health long-term. I hate these things, but it has to be done so I am dealing with it the best I can. And honestly, most people don't even say anything about them. You might be surprised how many adults have or have had braces, and most people probably recognize it as you doing something good for your oral health. Good luck, and let us know how things go for you!

[UnevenJAG]

I haven't posted in this thread for months now but I thought I would chuck an update in. My surgery to expose my impacted canine was approx 5 months ago now and I'd say you can see 35% of the canine exposed, the chain was recently replaced with a thin wire to help drag the tooth down more. Perhaps mine is moving fast I didn't think to ask. I know initially the surgeon said it can take up to 12 months for the exposed tooth to be in the correct position it needs to be so it's a slow process that's for sure but fingers crossed I'm doing ok!

[millersgirl]

Perhaps mine is moving fast I didn't think to ask. I know initially the surgeon said it can take up to 12 months for the exposed tooth to be in the correct position it needs to be so it's a slow process

I will be jumping for joy if mine only takes 12 months. I'm at about eight months since activation and I have six more links to go before tooth is in place.

[SandSnake]

My exposure percentage is probably similar to yours UnevenJAG. But my tooth is twisted so for the past 2 months we've been trying to turn it. So far it's been a slow process, unfortunately

[oregonhusker]

[quote="Siobhan"][quote="oregonhusker"]Hi, I'm a first time poster.

I, too, had an impacted canine and got braces in January of '14. I was told it would take quite awhile for my tooth to come down because I was 42 years old. They weren't kidding. I'm in my tenth month and my canine has made it's appearance within the past few days. Wahoo!

I'm a little worried though. I can see a little more than the tip of the tooth, and it's kind of a medium to darkish gray color. Not white at all. Has anybody else experienced this. My ortho appointment isn't for another 2 weeks and I'm a little bothered by this. Anybody have some reassuring words? :)

Rick[/quote]

Hi Rick, congrats on your tooth coming down. I'm 43 and also have an impacted canine that's on its way. Mine is coming out the front of the gum and a little underneath. The bit that's coming through the bottom seems less white but I think that's because of the hardware and gum. I wouldn't worry about the color of your tooth. You could always call your ortho and ask. Good luck![/quote]

Thanks for the encouragment. It turns out the tooth is fine. Apparently there was some acrylic attached to the bottom. I'm not exactly sure why, but I feel good about the tooth being healthy and not needing a crown.

[Siobhan]

Hi, I'm a first time poster.

I, too, had an impacted canine and got braces in January of '14. I was told it would take quite awhile for my tooth to come down because I was 42 years old. They weren't kidding. I'm in my tenth month and my canine has made it's appearance within the past few days. Wahoo!

I'm a little worried though. I can see a little more than the tip of the tooth, and it's kind of a medium to darkish gray color. Not white at all. Has anybody else experienced this. My ortho appointment isn't for another 2 weeks and I'm a little bothered by this. Anybody have some reassuring words?

Rick

Hi Rick, congrats on your tooth coming down. I'm 43 and also have an impacted canine that's on its way. Mine is coming out the front of the gum and a little underneath. The bit that's coming through the bottom seems less white but I think that's because of the hardware and gum. I wouldn't worry about the color of your tooth. You could always call your ortho and ask. Good luck!

Thanks for the encouragment. It turns out the tooth is fine. Apparently there was some acrylic attached to the bottom. I'm not exactly sure why, but I feel good about the tooth being healthy and not needing a crown.

Great news, glad to hear it. I hope your tooth keeps moving along.