The cornerstone of your smile
Impacted Teeth
At Trinity River Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center, we specialize in treating impacted canines—a common but important dental condition that requires skilled surgical care. Our board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Todd Kovach, provides precise, effective treatment to help patients of all ages achieve a healthy, properly aligned smile. Located in Willow Park, TX, we proudly serve the greater Fort Worth area and Parker County.
What Are Impacted Canines?
Canines, often referred to as eye teeth, play a vital role in your smile and bite. When these teeth become impacted, it means they are stuck beneath the gums—unable to erupt naturally. This can lead to crowding, misalignment, and even damage to adjacent teeth if not addressed. Impacted canines are one of the most common types of impacted teeth and typically require coordinated care between your orthodontist and oral surgeon to correct.
Canines are the cornerstone teeth that guide your occlusion (teeth fitting together) and are very important orthodontically.
Why Do Canines Become Impacted?
There are several reasons canines might not erupt properly:
- Overcrowding of teeth, leaving no room for the canines
- Baby teeth that haven’t fallen out at the right time
- Cysts or growths that block the natural eruption path
Early detection through regular dental checkups can help prevent complications and allow for less invasive treatment options.
Our Treatment Options for Impacted Canines
Dr. Kovach and our team take a personalized approach to treatment, tailored to each patient’s age, oral development, and unique dental needs. Our services include:
Early Intervention
If the issue is detected early—before the canine roots fully form—your orthodontist may simply guide the eruption by creating space with an expander or removing baby teeth. In many cases, this allows the canine to emerge naturally, but often, the impacted canine may need more orthodontic assistance. Early treatment often improves outcomes.
Expose and Bond Procedure
When a canine needs help erupting, we may perform an expose and bond procedure:
- Orthodontic braces are used to clear the eruption path.
- Dr. Kovach surgically exposes the impacted tooth and attaches a small bracket and chain.
- The orthodontist gently guides the tooth into place over time using this chain.
This technique is highly successful and commonly used in young patients.
Canine Removal & Tooth Replacement
In adults—or cases where the tooth won’t erupt even with assistance—we may recommend extracting the impacted canine to prevent complications such as infection or damage to nearby teeth. Once healed, we can replace the missing tooth with a dental implant, restoring both function and aesthetics.
Get to know us.
At Trinity River Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center, we know how to help you. Our board-certified surgeons and expert staff can provide the care you need to relieve the discomfort you feel.
