Impacted Canine Exposure
Your canine teeth guide your bite, support your facial structure, and anchor your smile. When one doesn’t come in the way it should, early treatment makes all the difference. Impacted canine exposure is a common, highly treatable procedure — and our team is here to help you through every step.
Why Early Treatment Matters
Your canine teeth are among the most important in your mouth. They’re designed to be the first teeth to make contact when you bite down, and they play a key role in how your jaw functions and how your face looks. When a canine becomes impacted — meaning it’s stuck beneath the gum and unable to erupt on its own — it can affect the teeth around it and interfere with orthodontic treatment.
The good news is that with early intervention, there’s a strong chance the tooth can be guided into its proper position. Waiting too long can make treatment more complicated and may increase the risk of damage to neighboring teeth. If your orthodontist has flagged an impacted canine, acting sooner rather than later gives you the best possible outcome.
What to Expect
Consultation and Imaging
We start by taking a detailed scan to locate the impacted tooth and map the safest path forward. We’ll also connect directly with your orthodontist to coordinate timing, so both sides of your treatment are working together seamlessly.
The Procedure
The exposure is performed under local anesthesia or IV sedation, depending on your needs and comfort level. A small opening is made in the gum tissue to uncover the tooth. In many cases, a bracket or small chain is attached to help guide the tooth into alignment over time — working in tandem with your orthodontic treatment.
Recovery and Aftercare
Most patients experience mild swelling and some tenderness for a day or two after the procedure. We’ll send you home with clear post-op instructions to support a smooth recovery. Many patients return to school or their regular routine within just a few days. And if you ever have questions during healing, we’re always just a phone call away.
Why Choose Our Oral Surgery Team
Our surgeons work closely with your orthodontist to make sure the timing and approach are right for your specific situation. We use advanced 3D imaging to locate the impacted tooth precisely before we ever begin. That level of preparation means fewer surprises and a smoother experience for you.
From your first appointment through recovery, our focus is on your comfort and clarity. We’ll explain what’s happening, answer your questions, and make sure you feel supported at every stage.
Common Questions Impacted Canine Exposure
It’s possible to leave an impacted canine untreated, but it’s rarely a good idea. Over time, an impacted tooth can put pressure on the roots of neighboring teeth, cause crowding, or create cysts in the jaw. It can also make orthodontic treatment far more difficult to complete successfully. Early exposure gives the tooth the best chance of erupting naturally into its correct position — and protects the health of the teeth around it.
The surgical procedure itself is typically straightforward and completed in a single appointment. The full process — from exposure to the tooth settling into its final position — takes longer, as it happens gradually through orthodontic guidance over a period of months. Your orthodontist and our team will work together to keep that timeline as smooth as possible.
The cost depends on the complexity of your specific case, the type of anesthesia used, and what your insurance covers. Many dental and orthodontic plans include some coverage for impacted tooth exposure. Our team will review your benefits with you before treatment begins, and we offer financing options if additional support is needed.