Orthodontic & 3D images

[Frostytiger87]

Hi my 15 year old will be having some long winded dental treatment & is under the care of the dental hospital hospital
She has an impacted canine that has gone completely off course , we’re hoping that it hasn’t damaged the roots of the front tooth
The consultant has now suggested a 3D scan to get a more precise idea as to where the tooth is positioned , I am worried about the amount of X-rays my child has had . Also has anyone had a 3D dental scan would my child wear a lead vest & collar

I think DD2 had a panoramic x-ray...not sure. But she did have impacted canines removed under GA, as the canine was the wrong side, which the orthodontist wasn't happy with.

Hi Lougle, may I ask what was put in place of the extracted canine ? My dd’s left canine is fine but the right one can’t be exposed & pulled down by a chain , the orthodontist has said that the milk tooth might be left , we won’t have a plan until after she’s had a 3D scan

They just use the brace to close the gap. The orthodontist said that most people can't tell once it's done. The extraction is a bit more tricky, because they have to lift a flap of gum to expose the tooth, pull it out, then stitch it back in place. DD2 had painkillers and soft food for the first day or two, then she was fine. Braces went on a couple of weeks later.

My Ds is currently going through this treatment, he had one impacted canine, he had the surgery at our dental hospital just with local anaesthetic, he was the first to be done with just a local it is usually done under general at the main hospital but there was a big back log and they felt he could manage and he also agreed.

It is a long process, dragging the tooth and putting it in place, his still isn't but the pandemic didn't help.

We were told if this isn't successful he would probably get an implant but it does seem to be working thus far.

He didn't wear a vest for anything for the 3D X-ray, they stand and the machine comes down over their head but that was the first and only X-ray he has had.

Thankyou for your replies , this canine can’t be pulled down it’s completely off course pushing towards her front tooth , we’re just praying she doesn’t lose the front tooth 🦷 I would rather extract the impacted canine .
The exposure to so many xrays really worries me I know that the consultant wouldn’t do them if it wasn’t necessary . I have read up on 3D imaging & sometimes a lead apron and collar is used

The radiation doses are fine. They are low. And the tiny radiation risk is massively outweighed by the clinical benefit of having the scan. That is how the law works in the UK and it would be illegal to carry out an x-Ray exposure that didn't follow these rigorous processes.
You do not need lead and in fact it is more detrimental to wear a lead collar during these exposures in case they accidentally get in the beam and drive up the radiation dose.
Ask your clinician if you need more information.

Part of the reason for the x-ray is so they can see if the impacted canine is eroding the nerve of the front tooth. They know what will work and what won't. DD2's teeth look amazing already. The impacted canine had twisted her incisor and so the first job after extraction was straightening that tooth. It's incredible how quickly the changes happen.

DD1 (15) was going to have fixed braces but her x-ray showed that the roots were too short and there was too much risk that a fixed brace would destabilise her teeth. So she ended up having a removable brace.