What is Canine Exposure?
Canine exposure is a minor surgical procedure performed when a permanent canine tooth is unable to erupt naturally into its correct position in the dental arch.
Canines play an important role in your smile, bite, and dental function. When a canine remains impacted beneath the gums or bone, periodontal surgery and orthodontic treatment may be combined to guide the tooth into place.
At Atlas Orthodontics & Periodontics, Dr. Fernanda Barona works closely with orthodontist Dr. Zimmerman to coordinate surgical exposure and orthodontic traction. A small attachment with a gold chain is bonded to the impacted tooth so it can be gradually guided into the dental arch.
The Gum Grafting Process
- Consultation and Evaluation — During your initial consultation, our Periodontist will assess your oral health, discuss your concerns and goals, and determine if gum grafting is the most appropriate treatment option for you.
- Preparing the Recipient Site — On the day of the procedure, our Periodontist will carefully prepare the area where the gum graft will be placed. This may involve cleaning and reshaping the exposed tooth root to promote optimal graft attachment.
- Harvesting and Placing the Gum Graft — The gum tissue for the graft may be taken from the roof of the mouth or from a nearby area with healthy gum tissue, or alternative grafting materials may be used which do not require using your own tissue. Our Periodontist will carefully assess your situation to determine the best option for you.
- Healing and Recovery — Following the gum grafting procedure, you will be provided with detailed instructions to ensure proper healing and recovery. This may include guidelines for oral hygiene, dietary restrictions, and follow-up appointments to monitor your progress.
THE CANINE EXPOSURE PROCESS
01 Consultation & CBCT Evaluation
We assess the impacted canine and surrounding tissues. When indicated, a 3D CBCT scan is requested to evaluate the tooth’s position, adjacent roots and surrounding bone, supporting precise surgical planning.
02 Coordinated Treatment Planning
Our periodontist and Dr. Zimmerman plan the surgical approach and anticipated direction of orthodontic movement together, with attention to the health of the surrounding gum tissue.
3D Imaging for Precise Planning
Example CBCT views of impacted maxillary canines. Image supplied for illustration.
03 Surgical Exposure & Gold Chain Attachment
Under local anesthesia, the impacted canine is carefully accessed through the gum tissue. A small amount of overlying bone may be removed if necessary. An orthodontic attachment and gold chain are bonded to the tooth.
04 Orthodontic Traction & Tooth Positioning
After initial healing, Dr. Zimmerman uses gentle, controlled orthodontic forces to gradually guide the canine into the dental arch. Treatment time varies according to tooth position and case complexity.
05 Healing & Follow-Up
Our periodontal and orthodontic teams monitor healing, surrounding gum health and tooth movement throughout treatment.
One Team. Two Specialties. One Coordinated Treatment Plan.
Clinical images are illustrative examples and do not represent a single patient or a guaranteed treatment outcome.
