Tooth Extraction for Pain Management
Palo Alto, CA
Tooth Extractions in Palo Alto provided by Dr. Sharma and Dr. Cheong at Palo Alto Oral Health
 When people hear the term “impacted” as it relates to teeth, they almost always will think of wisdom teeth and while this does occur quite frequently with them, they are not the only teeth to which this can happen. It can, in fact, occur to any teeth. While wisdom teeth are extracted quite regularly while impacted, canines present a difficult and complicated situation. They can be so impacted that in many cases, multiple dental professionals are needed to complete the process. Oral surgeons, general dentists, and orthodontists are typically the ones consulted for guidance with this procedure. Sometimes tooth pain, including impacted teeth, is so much that the best option is to have the tooth extracted.
We are here at Palo Alto Oral Health to answer your questions about tooth extractions and to give you the details about what it might entail. Of course we always prefer to save any teeth possible, but sometimes, as in the unusual case of impacted canines, having the teeth extracted is necessary.
What Causes Impacted Canines?
In the simplest terms, impacted means a particular tooth, in this case, canines, which failed to erupt fully through the gums. In some situations, these teeth can eventually correct themselves but in many others, they cannot and require surgical intervention.
Due to them being the final teeth to erupt, canines can create problems, including pain. They are incredibly important to a patient’s oral cavity health. Most of the time they begin to come in when patients are 11 years old. They are necessary to help with maintaining a proper bite and are essential for chewing food. They are also vital to help provide a shield against damage to other teeth and help to frame the patient’s smile.
When patients have overcrowded teeth on top of misalignment issues, canines find it difficult to erupt in their correct place. If patients fail to lose their teeth in a timely manner, canines have nowhere to erupt and will seek any available space. Most times impacted canines can be traced back to genetics.
Impacted Canine Diagnosis
We have all heard it before, but it is true. Early detection is the key to a successful outcome in treating impacted canines as well as other impacted teeth. The American Association of Orthodontics suggests the first x-rays taken to diagnose potential orthodontic problems is seven. At that time, specialists can diagnose any potential problems before the teeth begin to erupt.
With incredibly long roots, canines tend to take much longer to erupt than any other teeth in a patient’s mouth. With impacted canines, they appear to cross the roots of teeth within the mouth. They will try to find any way to erupt because that is what they are designed to do. The path of least resistance in some instances will be the roof of the mouth which can result in the need for invasive surgery.
For those patients who have been diagnosed with impacted teeth, or they have a family history of impacted canines or wisdom teeth, they should come to see us at Palo Alto Oral Health to discuss what is necessary to correct the problem. We can also do phone consultations to answer any of your questions. Our number is (650) 321-9693. Call us today to get the answers to your questions and to schedule your first appointment with us. We are always available for our patients.
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