Canine Tooth issues

Mackey1977

Hey,
One of my lower canine teeth has not got enough place to grow into. It's therefore growing out the way, whilst also pushing my incisors together which is proving quite painful. I went to the dentist years ago about it, and he just joked and said it was grand, and that I could treat it like a fang, and bite people with it. He said at the time if it got troublesome I could have it removed.

It's now getting to the stage where it is getting constantly sore. Has anyone of you had a canine tooth removed and how difficult is it? I read that the canine tooth has an exceptionally large root which makes it difficult.

Thanks....

georgieporgy

How old are you? and are all your other teeth present and ok?

Pulling the canine is not difficult. However it would be better to keep it and have it straightened into the arch (which may necessitate pulling another tooth). See an orthodontist for an opinion.

Mackey1977

i'm 32. All other teeth are present. Is it difficult to straight a tooth that has gone a bit askew I don't mind the fact that it isn't straight apart from the fact that it's pushing onto my incisors and they is causing me discomfort.

georgieporgy

All your teeth are important but I would say your canines are the most important. They are very important anchor teeth in your mouth. It sounds like things are a bit overcrowded so you need an ortho consult. Sometimes they can be straightened without pulling anything. If something has to be pulled to make room ( depends on the situation in your mouth) then it is best to remove the tooth behind the canine and push the canine into that space. It's easy enough to do. The most difficult thing is making the decision to do it.
At age 13 I made the wrong decision and had one of my canines removed. I then went on to become a dentist and have regretted that decision ever since.

Mackey1977

Appreciate the response mate. Sounds like you have a good point there. I've organised an appointment with my dentist, but it will be the end of July before he can fit me in. My teeth are grand at the moment. Hopefully they'll stay that way until then.

Can the canine tooth pressing against my incisors cause any major damage to them, or will it just be uncomfortable.

georgieporgy

No damage whatsoever except it may be difficult to clean the area properly which may result in cavities.
It depends on how far outside the arch it is. if totally outside (ie if the tooth in front of it is actually touching the one behind it) then you really should fix it. if it's just out a 'bit' then you can live with it. the feeling of tightness in the incisors is because they are all fighting for the same space. And if you have a habit of clenching or grinding your teeth it would make this sensation feel worse. There is a tendency for the lower incisors to get more crooked as you get older but we are talking millimeters, not inches! To advise further i would have to see you.
July is fine. ( i am amazed to hear of a dentist booked up 3 months...)

Bottom line

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don't have it taken out. good luck!

vishal

georgieporgy is right,

one orthodontist asked me to remove a canine for a patient because she was not covered for free treatment from government.

i refused to extract.

the tooth is the cornerstone of the arch. big long root.

often elderly patients who have are nearly completely edentulous (nearly no teeth left), these canines are the only ones left standing.

these teeth give support to your face and lips. feel beside the corner of your nose (that is your upper canine's root)

Mackey1977

Thanks Lads. You're preaching to the converted. No way am i going to get it removed. I'll discuss it with the dentist when I'm next there. Thanks for the advice. Really helped a lot. I'm pretty sure I would have gone ahead with getting it removed had I not spoken with you both.

LarryMac

I'm starting ortho in next few months and it has been recommended to extract my upper r canine, I am over crowed and my upper right canine is very protruding, gum has receded a lot so they think best option is to extract this one

day dreamer

Hi Larry

Extraction of the canine would not usually be the first choice for someone who has crowded teeth.

However you mentioned that it has recession so it sounds like they orthodontist has considered other options and feels it is a reasonable thing to do

If you still have concerns discuss with your dentist or orthodontist