So... there he was...

[u/Nice-Log4754]

Hello! Sadly, I haven't been to the dentist very often in my life due to financial reasons. Now that I'm an adult and have a job, I'm trying to pay more attention to it.

I've always wondered why my left canine never came in. It turns out that my baby tooth never fell out completely, and a small part of the root remained inside the gum. Because of that, the permanent canine grew in further forward.

I'm going to have the remaining baby tooth root removed, but should I have the canine removed as well? It seems like a pretty invasive procedure. Could it damage any nerves or cause other complications?

About me: Male, 27yo

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This message is not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not an indication that your post has been removed! Thank you for seeking advice from r/askdentists. Please note that a response does not constitute a doctor-patient relationship. While this is a place for advice, replies may not be medically accurate. Do not assume that what others on here say is correct in any way. Reddit is not a replacement for an in-person dental professional. Verified professionals will have flair assigned to them.

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A backup of the post title and text have been made here:

Title: So... there he was...

Full text: Hello! Sadly, I haven't been to the dentist very often in my life due to financial reasons. Now that I'm an adult and have a job, I'm trying to pay more attention to it.

I've always wondered why my left canine never came in. It turns out that my baby tooth never fell out completely, and a small part of the root remained inside the gum. Because of that, the permanent canine grew in further forward.

I'm going to have the remaining baby tooth root removed, but should I have the canine removed as well? It seems like a pretty invasive procedure. Could it damage any nerves or cause other complications?

About me: Male, 27yo

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[u/Nice-Log4754]

I'm also attaching a screenshot of the CT scan I had done. I'm currently seeing a dentist about this, but I'd like to get a second opinion. Unfortunately, it's difficult to share the scan itself because it uses specialized 3D software.

[u/Brutustheman → u/Nice-Log4754]

NAD :: Removing the canine will most likely result in some kind of complication, as to me it looks like a very complex operation. It seems to have impacted the roots of some nearby tooth roots and may have caused damage to them. Again, I am not a dentist nor a (maxillofacial?) surgeon so dont quote me on this. Best of luck to thee sire!

[u/No-Distribution-9556 → u/Nice-Log4754]

NAD: interestingly enough, this is the very same thing that happened to my left canine. I was 14 at the time, and according to the dentist, it was abscessed so it had to come out, I got referred to an oral surgeon, who also recommended that my wisdom teeth come out at the same time (they were impacted). I got put under anaesthetic, and all five teeth removed in 45 minutes. I will say recovery was unpleasant, but that was mostly the wisdom teeth area than getting the canine removed. I am 37 now and my baby tooth is still hanging on however the dentist did say that an implant is in my future.

[u/Ancient_Tutor2477]

I would recommend extraction of the canine. You run a very high risk of dentigerous cyst formation which could not only have dental, but orofacial complications. I am a general dentist and have seen an incidence where a cyst from an unerupted canine resulted in the loss of 3 incisors.

Yes it could lay dormant, but why take the chance? The risks with this procedure may seem many (You could potentially devitalise around 3-4 teeth if I’m being honest) but I think I would rather 3-4 root canals over 3-4 implants.

You need to make your own mind up but in my opinion this would benefit from
extraction.

As a side note, it may not bother you but if you ever want ortho treatment no one will do it with that canine still there.

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This message is not not not not not not not not not not not not not not not an indication that your post has been removed! Thank you for seeking advice from r/askdentists. Please note that a response does not constitute a doctor-patient relationship. While this is a place for advice, replies may not be medically accurate. Do not assume that what others on here say is correct in any way. Reddit is not a replacement for an in-person dental professional. Verified professionals will have flair assigned to them.

Please abide by the following rules in order to get an accurate answer to your question: (1) Ensure you include a title of your dental problem. (2) Include the history of your current issue, your age, any medical conditions that may be relevant, and any medications you are currently taking. (3) Include a photograph if the question relates to something you can see in your mouth, include x-rays if you have them.

A backup of the post title and text have been made here:

Title: So... there he was...

Full text: Hello! Sadly, I haven't been to the dentist very often in my life due to financial reasons. Now that I'm an adult and have a job, I'm trying to pay more attention to it.

I've always wondered why my left canine never came in. It turns out that my baby tooth never fell out completely, and a small part of the root remained inside the gum. Because of that, the permanent canine grew in further forward.

I'm going to have the remaining baby tooth root removed, but should I have the canine removed as well? It seems like a pretty invasive procedure. Could it damage any nerves or cause other complications?

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