Canine teeth · Gangnam, Seoul

Canine Teeth in Humans: Problems and Treatment in Seoul

What human canine teeth do, why they sometimes come in high, crooked or stay buried, and how they are corrected with orthodontics, bonding, veneers or crowns at our Gangnam clinic.

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Oneday Dental Clinic's three buildings on Gangnam-daero, Seoul
3 clinic buildings in Gangnam Yeoksam-dong · implants, lab & orthodontics

What do human canine teeth do, and how are canine problems fixed?

Human canines are the four long, pointed teeth at the corners of the mouth. They guide the jaw in side movements and protect back teeth. High, crooked or impacted canines are usually corrected with orthodontics, sometimes after minor surgery to expose a buried canine. At Gangnam One Day Dental Clinic, shape concerns can also be treated with bonding, veneers or crowns.

Reviewed by Dr. Kim Do-hoon , Chief Director, Orthodontics · Updated October 5, 2026

The role of canine teeth

Humans have four canines: one at each corner of the upper and lower arches. They have the longest roots of any teeth, which makes them strong anchors. When you slide your jaw sideways, the canines ideally take the load and lift the back teeth apart, a pattern called canine guidance.

Because of this, canines matter for bite function, not only appearance. Losing or wearing them down can shift load onto other teeth.

Common canine problems

Upper canines are among the last front teeth to erupt, usually around age 11 to 12, so they often run out of space. They may then come in high above the other teeth, sometimes called snaggletooth, or stay buried in the bone (impacted).

  • High or crooked canines: usually due to crowding
  • Impacted canines: stuck in bone, found on X-ray
  • Very pointed canines: a shape concern
  • Worn canines: often from grinding; see teeth grinding

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Treatment options

High or crooked canines are aligned with orthodontics, usually fixed braces because canines have long roots and need controlled movement. An impacted canine may be uncovered with minor surgery and gently pulled into place with braces over many months. Our orthodontics department, led by Dr. Kim Do-hoon, plans these cases.

If the canine is well positioned but too pointed or worn, reshaping, composite bonding, veneers or a crown can change its shape without moving it.

Canine problems and typical treatment
Usual treatment Typical time
High or crooked canine Braces or selected aligners 12–30 months
Impacted canine Surgical exposure plus braces Often 18–30 months
Pointed canine Reshaping or bonding 1 visit
Worn or broken canine Bonding, veneer or crown 1–3 visits
Step by step

How it works at Oneday Dental

  1. Before visit

    Photos on WhatsApp

    Send close-up photos of your canines and any X-rays.

  2. Visit 1

    Examination

    X-rays or 3D CT to locate impacted canines and check roots.

  3. Plan

    Choose the approach

    Orthodontic, surgical-orthodontic or cosmetic plan explained.

  4. Treatment

    Align or reshape

    Braces move the canine, or bonding/veneers change its shape.

  5. Finish

    Retention and review

    Retainers after orthodontics; bite checked for canine guidance.

Things to know before you decide

  • Impacted canines can damage roots of neighbouring teeth if left untreated; X-rays assess this.
  • Pulling an impacted canine into place takes time and is not always possible.
  • Filing canines flat for cosmetic reasons can affect bite function.
  • Veneers and crowns require tooth reduction in many cases.
  • Adult impacted canines are harder to move than in teenagers.
Why patients trust Oneday Dental

Experience you can check

  • 2002
    Founded in Gangnam — 24 years
  • 13
    Dentists in 5 departments
  • 3
    Clinic buildings, 1,570 m²
  • 0.01 mm
    T-Scan bite-force detail
Medically reviewed Dr. Kim Do-hoon — Chief Director, Orthodontics

Leads the orthodontics department (Building 3): braces, lingual, Invisalign & surgical orthodontics

Meet the team
FAQ

Canine Teeth: common questions

Why are my canine teeth higher than my other teeth?
Upper canines erupt late, around age 11 to 12. If the other teeth have already used the space, the canine erupts higher or outside the arch. Orthodontic treatment creates space and brings it down into line.
What is an impacted canine?
It is a canine that stays buried in the jawbone instead of erupting. It is usually found on X-ray. Treatment often involves minor surgery to expose the tooth, then braces to guide it into place gradually.
Can I file down pointed canine teeth?
Minor reshaping of the tip is sometimes possible, but canines guide your bite, so heavy filing can shift load onto other teeth. The dentist checks your bite before any reshaping. Bonding or veneers are alternatives for shape changes.
Can clear aligners fix a high canine?
Mild cases can sometimes be treated with aligners. Canines have long roots and often need significant movement, so fixed braces are commonly more predictable. The orthodontist advises after examining your X-rays and the space available in your arch.
How much does canine teeth treatment cost in Seoul?
It depends on the problem: orthodontic alignment, surgical exposure or cosmetic reshaping. Costs are set after a full examination. Send close-up photos and any X-rays on WhatsApp for an initial estimate and an idea of which approach fits.
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Medically reviewed by Dr. Kim Do-hoon , Chief Director, Orthodontics Last updated: This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Results vary; all dental procedures carry risks that your dentist explains before treatment.