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Son's impacted LOWER canine tooth

2 replies

Lucyclara · 01/04/2023 20:36

I'm hoping someone else will have experience of this.
I've searched everywhere and can only find information on impacted UPPER canines which are way more common than the mandibular canine (which is what my 14 year old son has).

He had an x-ray six months ago, and it can be seen lying horizontally across the bottom of his gum. The opposite lower canine came through perfectly fine.

He still has the baby lower canine in place (it's firm).
He is not in any pain or discomfort at all.

He has another dental check up on Monday, so I will be asking the dentist a few questions then, but so far he has been referred for orthodontic treatment (3 year waiting list from when he was referred six months ago).
I have read about the procedure of exposing the buried tooth with a chain (which I believe is a long and difficult process).
My son has ASD and his anxiety levels are high.
I haven't shared any of this with him and neither has the dentist at this stage.

I am worried sick myself about how he will cope with it all.
The question I want to ask is would it be possible (if the tooth remains aysymptomatic) for it to remain in his gum without treatment?
Obviously I will ask the dentist this on Monday (I will ask for a quiet word so as not to stress my son out).
I am just worrying myself silly at the minute.

OP posts:
Lollygaggle · 01/04/2023 20:39

It can't be moved with a chain, in all likelihood he will e referred for an oral surgery opinion and their advice will probably be to leave it where it is but take x rays every year to make sure it doesn't develop a cyst or start problems with the other teeth.

tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 01/04/2023 20:45

Hey OP

DD has an impacted upper molar which we have been referred to a specialist clinic (guessing an NHS dental clinic) to see if we'd qualify for NHS treatment. Like your DS she's got no pain or discomfort at all.

The concern our orthodontist had is > if I've remembered correctly < leaving the tooth indefinitely could lead to damage of the tooth roots and those of teeth either side. Plus I think at the age they are (mines 15) the recovery and success of work is generally better/quicker now than later.

I'm bracing myself for possibility of expensive but necessary work Confused

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