The canine (eye tooth), is usually expected to erupt before the age of 14 in females and 15 in males. It is the most frequently impacted tooth after the third molars. It is believed that the tooth’s long eruption path makes it more prone to disturbances. Along its descent in the mouth the tooth may be impacted either because of a lack of space in the jaw itself or due to premature eruption of the lateral incisor which deviates the path of the canine.
Sometimes, we look at the teeth beside the canines to help guide us if there is canine impaction or not. We also feel the gum tissue around the canine and sometimes we can feel a bulge in the area.
After we complete a clinical examination, we may decide to obtain a 2D X-ray to localize the tooth. In some cases, a 3D image is taken with our CBCT to provide us with the location of the tooth and status of the adjacent structures.
