Snaggletooth and High Canines (Fang Teeth) Treatment in Seoul
Quick answer
A snaggletooth or high canine is an upper canine that erupted above or outside the dental arch because there was not enough space, often giving a fang-like look. It is usually a form of crowding. At Isu Yonsei Baro Orthodontics, Dr. Sally Chaekyung Lee uses CBCT to check root position, then creates space and guides the canine down with braces or aligners.
What a snaggletooth or high canine is
The upper canines usually erupt around ages 11 to 13, after the incisors and often after the first premolars. If the arch is already full, the canine has nowhere to go and comes in high on the gum and outward, sometimes overlapping the tooth next to it. Clinicians describe this as a buccally displaced or ectopic canine. In everyday language it is called a snaggletooth, fang tooth or high canine.
Common causes
- Crowding: the most common reason, as the canine erupts into a space that has already closed
- Early loss of baby canines or molars, letting neighboring teeth drift
- A narrow upper jaw
- Retained baby canines that block the path
Why it matters
Canines guide the jaw when you move it side to side, protecting the back teeth from heavy sideways forces. A canine stuck high may not provide this guidance. It can also be hard to clean around, and the thin gum over a prominent canine may be more prone to recession. Many people seek treatment because the tooth is noticeable when they smile.
How it is diagnosed
A RAY Quantum 5D CT (CBCT) scan shows the exact three-dimensional position of the canine root and whether it is close to the roots of neighboring incisors, which affects how it should be moved. Intraoral digital scans measure the space shortage, and the RAY Face 3D facial scan and photos show how the canine sits within the smile line. If a canine has not erupted at all, the case is assessed as an impacted canine instead.
Treatment options
Treatment first creates enough room, then brings the canine down and into the arch. Space may come from arch development, small enamel reshaping, moving molars back with temporary anchorage devices, or premolar extraction in severe crowding. Common appliances include:
- Metal braces or ceramic braces, which give precise control for vertical movement
- Invisalign or Angel Aligner for suitable mild to moderate cases
- Teen orthodontics when the canine is still erupting, which can sometimes make the process simpler
Typical timeline
Bringing a high canine into place commonly takes roughly 12–24 months as part of comprehensive treatment. One published clinic case, a teenager with both upper canines high, was treated with braces without extractions in 19 months. Individual results and side effects vary; treatment is decided after examination.
What to expect at Isu Yonsei Baro
During the roughly 60-minute first visit you will have digital scans, X-rays or CT and photos. Dr. Lee explains in English where the canine root sits, how space will be created and whether extractions are likely to be needed. In Dr. Lee's practice, the canine's root position on CBCT is checked before choosing a path, because moving the crown alone without considering the root can affect neighboring incisors. You receive a written estimate before you decide.
At a glance
- Clinical terms: buccally displaced or ectopic canine, also called yaeba in Japanese
- Usually caused by lack of space as the canine is one of the last front teeth to erupt
- Different from an impacted canine, which has not erupted at all
- Published clinic case: teen with both upper canines high, braces, non-extraction, 19 months
- Typical treatment: roughly 12–24 months (not a promise)
Your orthodontist
Dr. Sally Chaekyung Lee, DDS, PhD
- MOHW-certified orthodontic specialist
- PhD in Orthodontics, Yonsei University; Severance Hospital residency
- Member, Edward H. Angle Society of Orthodontists
- 2026 AJO-DO peer reviewer
- Consults in fluent English and treats you herself, start to finish
Isu Station Exit 2 · 1-minute walk
Mon & Thu until 9 PM · Sat 9 AM–2 PM
+82 2-592-2080
Frequently asked questions
Can a snaggletooth be fixed without braces?
A small amount of reshaping or a veneer can sometimes disguise a mildly prominent canine, but it does not move the tooth into the arch. When the canine is high or outside the arch, orthodontic movement with braces or aligners is generally needed to bring it into position and restore normal guidance.
Do I need a tooth removed to fix high canines?
Not always. In mild to moderate crowding, space can come from arch development, enamel reshaping or moving molars back. In more severe crowding, removing a premolar may create a more stable and balanced result. The published 19-month case from the clinic was treated without extractions; your plan depends on your scans.
Can Invisalign move a high canine down?
Clear aligners can bring down some displaced canines, particularly when space shortage is modest, often with attachments and sometimes elastics. Canines that are very high or need long vertical movement may be more predictable with braces. Dr. Lee reviews CBCT and digital scans to advise on the appropriate appliance.
When should a teenager's high canine be treated?
If space can be created while the canine is still erupting, usually around ages 11 to 14, treatment may be simpler. An orthodontic check when a canine starts coming in high is helpful. Adults can also be treated, though the overall plan may take slightly longer.
Related reading
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Individual results and side effects vary; treatment is decided after an in-person examination. See our editorial and medical review policy .
Talk to Dr. Lee in English
Send your concern and preferred dates. You'll get an examination, your options, a timeline and a written estimate before you decide anything.