--- title: "High Canine Teeth Treatment UK" url: https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/high-canines-treatment-uk description: "High or prominent canine teeth can usually be brought into line with fixed braces, or guided down surgically if impacted. See timing and NHS eligibility." updated: 2026-09-02T00:00:00Z publisher: Virtual Consultant Online --- High Canines Fang Teeth Fixed Braces # High Canines Treatment UK High canines — sometimes called fang teeth — are upper canine teeth that sit too high in the arch rather than in their correct position at the corners of the smile. They are one of the most common orthodontic findings and in most cases can be fully corrected with fixed braces, with or without a minor surgical procedure depending on whether the tooth has erupted or remains impacted in the bone. [Start Photo Assessment](https://virtualconsultant.online/evaluations/quote) [Compare Costs](https://virtualconsultant.online/costs) ## Why do canines erupt in a high position? Canines are the last of the front teeth to erupt, usually between the ages of eleven and thirteen. Because they are late arrivals, they are particularly vulnerable to being displaced if there is insufficient space in the arch. If the dental arch is crowded, the canine — finding its intended position already occupied or lacking room — may erupt higher in the arch, towards the lip or even towards the palate on the inside. In some cases the cause is a retained baby canine that has not been lost at the appropriate time, blocking the permanent canine's path. In other cases the lateral incisor next to the canine is missing or peg-shaped, meaning the space guidance it normally provides is absent. Genetics plays a role, particularly for palatal (inside-erupting) canines, which show a familial clustering. ## Erupted high canines vs impacted canines — a critical distinction Not all high canines are the same, and treatment differs significantly depending on whether the tooth has erupted through the gum or remains impacted within the bone. An erupted high canine has broken through the gum surface and is visible in the mouth, even if it sits well above the gum line or is rotated — this type can be treated with fixed braces alone in most cases. An impacted canine remains fully or partially within the bone and has not erupted, or has only partially erupted. Impacted canines require a surgical procedure — a minor operation under local anaesthetic, sometimes with sedation — to expose the tooth and bond a small gold chain or bracket to its surface so that the orthodontist can then apply gentle traction to guide the tooth down into the arch. This is a well-established and highly effective procedure, but it adds time and a surgical element to treatment. ## Treatment for erupted high canines When the canine has erupted but is positioned too high, the treatment approach is to create sufficient space in the arch for the canine to be moved downwards into its correct position. Space is created either by aligning and expanding the existing arch or, where crowding is significant, by extracting teeth — typically the first premolars. Fixed metal or ceramic braces are then used to apply forces that progressively move the canine down into the arch, rotate it if necessary, and align it with the adjacent teeth. The canine must be brought down to the correct height relative to the other front teeth and the gum level tidied up once tooth position is correct — a minor gum procedure is occasionally needed if the gum has not followed the tooth down naturally. ## Treatment for impacted canines Impacted canines require a two-stage process. First, fixed braces are placed on the other teeth to create and hold space for the canine. Once sufficient space exists, an oral surgeon or specialist periodontist performs a surgical exposure under local anaesthetic, uncovering the crown of the impacted tooth and bonding a gold chain or bracket directly to it. The wound is then sutured, and the chain is attached to the orthodontic archwire, applying a gentle, continuous pulling force to guide the tooth towards the arch. Over the following months — usually six to eighteen months depending on how deep the tooth is — the canine travels through the bone and gum into its correct position. The process requires patience but the outcomes are excellent in the vast majority of cases. The tooth, once fully in position, functions and looks like any other canine. ## How long does treatment for high canines take? Treatment duration depends heavily on whether the canine is erupted or impacted and on how much overall orthodontic correction is needed. For erupted high canines, total treatment is typically eighteen to twenty-four months with fixed braces. For impacted canines, the surgical and traction phase adds additional time, and overall treatment is commonly twenty-four to thirty months. Where skeletal problems exist alongside the displaced canine, treatment may be longer. Age matters too — younger patients in their early to mid-teens respond more quickly because the bone is less dense and tooth movement is faster. Adults can absolutely be treated successfully, but movement tends to be slower and treatment may take a little longer. ## NHS eligibility and what happens if high canines are left untreated High canines generally score well on the IOTN (Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need) dental health component, particularly when associated with crowding, and many patients qualify for NHS orthodontic treatment in the under-18 age group. Impacted canines in particular are routinely managed on the NHS. Adults do not qualify for NHS orthodontic treatment through the routine pathway and will require private treatment. Leaving a high canine untreated carries real risks. An impacted canine sitting adjacent to the roots of the lateral incisor or central incisor can cause root resorption — gradual destruction of the roots of those adjacent teeth — sometimes silently and without symptoms. This is one reason why impacted canines are taken seriously and treated proactively. Erupted high canines, while less urgent, can affect bite function, cause wear on opposing teeth, and represent a significant cosmetic concern for many patients. ## Useful related pages [Impacted Canine Orthodontics UK](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/impacted-canine-orthodontics-uk) [Hypodontia and Orthodontics UK](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/hypodontia-orthodontics-uk) [Orthodontic Space Closure UK](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/orthodontic-space-closure-uk) [Missing Lateral Incisors Orthodontics UK](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/missing-lateral-incisors-orthodontics-uk) [Crowded Teeth Treatment UK](https://virtualconsultant.online/guides/crowded-teeth-treatment-uk) This guide is for general information only. It is not a diagnosis, treatment plan, or substitute for advice from a registered dentist or orthodontist. ### Compare next steps [Orthodontist Near Me](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations/orthodontic-treatment-near-me) [Clear Aligners Near Me](https://virtualconsultant.online/treatments/clear-aligners-near-me) [Invisalign Near Me](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations/invisalign-provider-near-me) [Browse Locations](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations) ### Ready for a clearer starting point? Upload guided photos and receive an indication of likely treatment options and pricing before booking appointments. [Get an Online Quote](https://virtualconsultant.online/evaluations/quote) ### Frequently Asked Questions Can high canines be fixed without surgery? If the canine has fully erupted — meaning it is visible in the mouth even if it sits high — it can usually be brought down and into alignment with fixed braces alone, without any surgical procedure. Surgery is only required when the canine is impacted and still within the bone. Your orthodontist will take an X-ray to determine which situation applies. How long does treatment for high canines take? For erupted high canines, treatment with fixed braces typically takes eighteen to twenty-four months in total. For impacted canines requiring surgical exposure and orthodontic traction, total treatment is usually twenty-four to thirty months. These are approximate ranges — individual complexity, the depth of impaction, and the extent of other orthodontic correction needed all influence the final duration. Is it painful to have an impacted canine surgically exposed? The exposure procedure itself is performed under local anaesthetic and is not painful during the operation. Afterwards there is typically some soreness and swelling for a few days, manageable with standard over-the-counter pain relief. The subsequent phase of orthodontic traction — where the chain gradually guides the tooth through the bone — is generally mild in terms of discomfort, similar to standard brace adjustments, though some patients notice a dull ache after appointments when the chain is activated. Can adults have high canine treatment? Yes, adults can be treated successfully for high canines, both erupted and impacted. Bone density is higher in adults than in teenagers, which means tooth movement takes a little longer, but the clinical process and outcomes are the same. Adults with impacted canines should be assessed promptly, as prolonged impaction carries a risk of root resorption to adjacent teeth. All adult treatment is private in the UK. NHS vs private for high canines — what should I know? Patients under the age of eighteen who meet the IOTN threshold — which high canines usually do, particularly impacted ones — can receive treatment on the NHS where provision is available. The same standard of treatment is delivered on the NHS as in private practice for this condition. Adults require private treatment. NHS waiting lists can be long in some areas, and for impacted canines where root resorption of adjacent teeth is a risk, some families opt for private treatment to access it more quickly. What happens if a high or impacted canine is left untreated? An impacted canine sitting close to the roots of neighbouring teeth can gradually cause root resorption, damaging those roots sometimes without any noticeable symptoms, which is why impacted canines are treated proactively rather than watched indefinitely. An erupted high canine that is left untreated is less urgent medically but can affect bite function, cause uneven wear on opposing teeth, and remain a lasting cosmetic concern. An orthodontic assessment with an X-ray will clarify the risk level for your specific case. Explore your options Quick links Not sure where to start? Use these quick links to explore orthodontic treatments, typical costs, and helpful guides that explain what different options involve. Whether you're researching braces or clear aligners, comparing pricing, or just getting a feel for what comes next, you can browse at your own pace and come back when you're ready to request a quote. 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Upload guided photos and get a tailored recommendation for your teeth and bite. [Start Photo Assessment](https://virtualconsultant.online/evaluations/quote) [Find an Orthodontist](https://virtualconsultant.online/locations) Citation details Title High Canine Teeth Treatment UK Publisher Virtual Consultant Online Published 2024-06-01 Updated 2026-09-02 URL [https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/guides/high-canines-treatment-uk](https://staging.virtualconsultant.online/guides/high-canines-treatment-uk)