Canine exposure is not related to leaving your dog outside and exposed to the elements. Instead, it refers to a dental procedure used to reveal impacted teeth which is one that fails to emerge in the mouth, becoming trapped in the surrounding bone or tissue. This can occur with any tooth, but wisdom teeth and canine teeth are the most common candidates. Canine teeth are crucial for proper mouth function, and their absence can lead to an aesthetically unusual appearance. To address impacted canines, a straightforward procedure is performed by the dentist. They make a small incision in the gum to allow the tooth to erupt properly. Additionally, a dental brace is utilized to guide the tooth into its correct position.
Although some Impacted teeth are easily identifiable, others may require an X-ray to determine the full extent of the impaction. In many cases, the baby tooth remains in place while the canine tooth is impacted. The presence of a loose tooth can also serve as an indicator of a potential impacted tooth.