Impacted Canines
Ohio oral surgeon Dr. Faisal Quereshy recommends impacted canine treatment for patients whose upper canine teeth are unable to push through the gums so it can be used to chew and align the bite.
Impacted Canine Treatment Preparation
Dr. Quereshy will begin to ready for impacted canine treatment and provide you with aftercare instructions and necessary prescriptions well in advance so you feel prepared and relaxed when the day of your procedure arrives. If you smoke or use other tobacco products, you will be required to quit using them at least six weeks before your impacted canines procedure.
Two weeks before and after surgery, you will be directed to discontinue taking medications and supplements that can thin the blood, such as ibuprofen, aspirin and vitamin E.
Abstain from alcohol for one week before your neck lift, and do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before. Let Dr. Quereshy know if you notice any signs of infection or illness prior to your oral surgery procedure, as it is imperative you be in good health before undergoing surgery of any kind.
Dress comfortably the day of surgery, and do not wear makeup, jewelry, other metal items or contact lenses. Bring glasses to help you read necessary paperwork.
Treatment for Impacted Canines
The wisdom teeth are the only set of teeth more likely to become impacted than the upper canines.
The canines should be growing into place around age 13, but sometimes they get stuck in the upper jaw and do not erupt into function.
The key to treating impacted canines is early detection via mouth x-rays. The first step of treatment begins with determining what has caused the canines to become impacted, such as extra teeth, crowded teeth or a growth.
Once Dr. Quereshy has determined why your canines are impacted, he will team up with Dr. Najia Usman to treat the problem. Extra teeth will be removed to make way for canine eruption, and if crowding is the cause, braces will be placed on the upper teeth so impacted canines can push through.
If impacted canines have fused into position, as is the case for adults suffering from this condition, oral surgery will be performed to correct impacted canines. Surgery is performed under local or sedation anesthesia.
During this procedure, the gum is lifted to expose impacted canines, and a bracket with a small chain is bonded to the canines. Any baby teeth present are removed, and the gum is returned to its original location and sutured back into place. Over the next several months, Dr. Quereshy will periodically apply pressure, pulling the chain to gradually promote eruption of the canines.
Impacted Canine Surgery Results and Recovery
Discomfort, swelling and bleeding are common temporary side effects after impacted canine treatment, however these issues should resolve within a few days.
Take pain medication and antibiotics as directed to alleviate discomfort and prevent infection, and apply cold compresses to reduce swelling. Once your treatment is complete, your canines will no longer be impacted, and you will have something to smile about.
The Visage Surgical Institute is located in Medina, Ohio and serves local patients with impacted canines, as well as those from the greater Cleveland and Akron metro areas. For more information about impacted canine surgery, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Quereshy, please call (330) 721-2323.
