Dr. Cynthia Wong

Tuesday, June 5, 2018

Options for Guiding Canines

When it comes to malocclusions, a rare but serious problem is impaction of the canines. Put simply, this means that the upper canine teeth are unable to descend into their proper position. At Dr. Cynthia Wong’s orthodontic practice in Orland Park, we’re prepared to help solve this problem.


Children are assessed for their risk of impacted canines at a very young age. If the risk is caught before all the baby teeth fall out, we have more options. Palate expanders can be used to provide the mouth with more room for canines to descend. In some cases, it is appropriate for baby canines to be removed early so that permanent canines that have already erupted without descending can move into place. If the patient is still a teenager, it is possible to guide the canines into place using specialized orthodontic wires. A ballista spring is a looped piece of wire that resembles the round end of a safety pin. It is able to guide the canine teeth downward without putting pressure on the front teeth that could pull them back up.


Sometimes, the canines are not exposed enough to have brackets placed on them. In these cases, the patient will need to undergo a minor bit of gum surgery in which a flap of tissue is cut away from the unerupted canine, providing room for the orthodontic bracket. Once the canines have descended, they can be guided into their place in the arch with more typical orthodontic treatment.


Cynthia Wong, DMD, operates at 15614 S Harlem #B, Orland Park, Illinois, 60462. To contact her office, call 708-444-8341 or visit Dr. Cynthia Wong and send a message.


 

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