Canine Tooth Stuck? How Long Braces Take to Bring It Down
- Bright Braces
- 4 minutes ago
- 5 min read
There’s something uniquely stubborn about canine teeth. Tucked in right beside your front teeth, they’re the anchor points of your smile—designed to be strong, long-lasting, and well-rooted. But when one doesn’t show up where it should, it can create a wave of questions and concern, especially for parents watching their child wait and wait for that last tooth to come in.
Let’s walk through what it means when a canine tooth is "stuck," why it happens, and how long it typically takes braces to guide it into place. Along the way, we’ll break things down in plain language and offer real-world insight into treatment timelines.
What Does It Mean When a Canine Tooth is "Stuck"?
A "stuck" canine tooth—what orthodontists often call an impacted canine—simply means the tooth hasn’t emerged through the gumline like it’s supposed to. It’s there, just hidden beneath the surface, often wedged in the jawbone or angling in the wrong direction. Upper canines are the most common teeth to become impacted, second only to wisdom teeth.
Sometimes the tooth is delayed, and other times it’s blocked by other teeth or bone. On X-rays, it might look sideways or high up near the sinus area. While it sounds intense, impacted canines are surprisingly common—and entirely treatable.
What Causes a Canine to Be Impacted?
There are a few usual suspects:
Lack of space in the upper jaw
Genetics, especially if a parent had the same issue
Baby teeth that didn’t fall out in time
Extra teeth or cysts blocking the path
Girls tend to experience impacted canines more often than boys, and it typically becomes obvious between the ages of 10 and 14, when permanent teeth are expected to be fully in place.
Why It's Important to Bring an Impacted Canine Down
Leaving an impacted canine alone isn’t usually a good idea. Canines play a key role in the bite, helping guide the jaw into proper position and protecting other teeth from wear. If left untreated, impacted canines can:
Damage the roots of nearby teeth
Lead to spacing issues or crowding
Increase the risk of cysts or infections
Affect self-confidence, especially in teens
Early detection through X-rays or dental exams is crucial. The earlier we catch it, the more options we have.
How Braces Help with Impacted Canines
Here’s where orthodontics shines. Braces can be used to make space, guide the tooth, and gently pull it into position over time. It’s a multi-step process that may involve a small oral surgery (called exposure and bonding), where an orthodontist and oral surgeon work together to uncover the tooth and attach a tiny bracket to it.
Then, over the course of several months, gentle pressure from the braces guides the canine into place using an elastic chain or fine wire. The goal is slow, steady movement—no rushing.
How Long Does It Take?
Now to the big question: how long does it actually take braces to bring down a stuck canine tooth?
The answer depends on a few key factors:
Age of the patient: Younger patients (early teens) tend to respond faster.
Tooth position: A tooth closer to the gumline moves more quickly than one deeply embedded.
Space available: If space has already been made, treatment goes faster.
Biological response: Everyone’s body moves teeth at its own pace.
That said, most impacted canines can be brought down in 6 to 12 months once active traction begins. This is part of a longer braces journey, which may last 18 to 24 months in total depending on the case.
In complex cases where the tooth is very high up or angled sharply, it could take up to 18 months for the canine to fully descend. But that’s not the norm.
What Does Treatment Look Like Week to Week?
Let’s break it down into phases:
1. Evaluation & Imaging
The orthodontist will use X-rays or a 3D scan to determine exactly where the tooth is hiding. If needed, they’ll refer to an oral surgeon.
2. Space Creation
Braces are placed and space is made in the arch for the canine. This might take a few months on its own.
3. Surgical Exposure
A minor in-office procedure exposes the tooth. A small bracket and chain are attached.
4. Active Traction
Over the next 6–12 months, the chain is gently tightened to guide the tooth into place.
5. Finishing Touches
Once the tooth has joined the party, treatment continues to align the rest of the bite.
Is It Painful?
Generally, no—not in a "this-is-awful" way. The exposure procedure may cause mild soreness, like any oral surgery. The traction phase feels more like gentle pressure or tightness during adjustments. Most patients do just fine with over-the-counter pain relievers for a day or two after each visit.
Will My Smile Look Crooked During Treatment?
That’s a common concern. During the early stages, the smile might look a little uneven as space is opened and the tooth begins its journey down. But trust the process! The end result is a healthy, aligned, and natural-looking smile.
Can Invisalign or Clear Aligners Be Used Instead?
In some mild cases, yes—but traditional braces are the gold standard for treating impacted canines. The precise control and steady pressure make them the best tool for the job. Your orthodontist will let you know if aligners are an option.
What Happens If the Canine Still Won't Move?
Very rarely, a tooth is so firmly impacted that it resists movement altogether. In those cases, the orthodontist might consider options like extraction and a dental implant or bridge. But this is truly the exception, not the rule.
Most impacted canines cooperate beautifully with the right combination of timing, technique, and teamwork.
Real Talk: Patience Pays Off
It can feel like a long journey—especially for teens who are ready for their full smile to shine. But every adjustment, every visit, and every bit of gentle traction brings that tooth one step closer.
We see it all the time at Bright Braces: a worried start, a lot of progress photos, and a truly rewarding finish.
Final Thoughts
A stuck canine tooth can seem intimidating at first, but with the right care, it’s something orthodontics handles every day. With braces, teamwork, and a little patience, that stubborn tooth will find its place right where it belongs.
If you have questions about your child’s smile or suspect an impacted tooth, we’d love to take a look. Our friendly team at Bright Braces is here to guide you every step of the way—from the first appointment to the final reveal.
Ready to get started? Book your free consultation with Bright Braces today and let’s brighten that smile—one tooth at a time.
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