Impacted / unerupted premolars & canines

Dental radiograph (xray), which shows an unerupted and impacted upper left and right permanent canine teeth. These teeth are also rotated and need close monitoring since they are not resorbing the roots of the primary canines. When teeth drift away from their correct position, adjacent teeth are at risk from damage by resorption or cystic enlargement. The position of the teeth are located using a radiographic (xray) technique called ‘parallax’. An orthodontist may advise the removal of these primary canines as part of the overall orthodontics treatment plan. Dentists should palpate for the upper canines around 9-10 years of age in the buccal sulcus. The ideal of this patient is to remove the primary canines, possibly in conjunction with an upper removable brace acting as a space maintainer and prevent loss the space.