Expert: Mark Bornfeld DDS - 3/23/2009

Question
I am 40 years old and my #11 tooth (the canine on my left side) grew in very high on my gum line.  My mother didn't believe in braces so I never had them.  My eye tooth is very high on my gum line and I do not use it for chewing or anything else.  It just sticks out like a fang. My other teeth have filled the area behind where my canine tooth was suppose to be so there isn't any gap.  I don't want a mounth full of metal at my age to fix this.  I am considering having the tooth pulled. What are your thoughts on this?  Will the pulling of this tooth leave a huge hole in my gums?

Answer
Dear Lori,

I would strongly recommend against extracting the canine. Not only would you sacrifice the strongest tooth in the arch, but you would be left with a worse cosmetic liability than you started with.

Your problem lies clearly in the realm of orthodontics, so that is where you should start your search for answers. There are alternatives to traditional metal braces that are more in keeping with the social demands of an adult, and you should explore these options before you rule out orthodontic therapy. I recommend that you request a referral to an orthodontist from your dentist.

Good luck!

Mark Bornfeld DDS
www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY