Impacted Tooth Exposure
Guide Impacted Teeth to the Dental Arch
When a tooth cannot erupt naturally into the mouth due to obstruction, your surgeon collaborates with your orthodontist to facilitate its movement with a procedure known as exposure and bonding.
Impaction occurs when a tooth’s growth path is blocked, preventing it from emerging correctly. This situation can leave the tooth either partially or entirely trapped beneath the gum tissue. While any tooth can become impacted, this condition is especially prevalent with wisdom teeth and canines.
Wisdom teeth are frequently recommended for removal, regardless of whether they are impacted. In contrast, treatment is generally advised for canines since they play a crucial role in overall dental function.
What Signs Indicate a Tooth May Be Impacted?
An impacted canine tooth may or may not present noticeable symptoms. Common indicators of impaction include:
- Pain or discomfort
- Swollen or red gums
- Persistent bad breath
- Unpleasant taste in the mouth
Various factors can lead to impacted canines, including retained baby teeth blocking the eruption path of adult teeth, abnormal growths, misalignment, or even the presence of additional teeth.
How Exposure and Bonding Works
To diagnose an impacted tooth, your dentist may utilize an X-ray or CT scan. If a canine tooth in your child is found to be impacted, an oral surgeon and orthodontist will work closely together to develop a treatment plan. Early intervention to expose an impacted canine is typically recommended for optimal results.
Initially, the orthodontist will prepare the mouth for treatment by placing braces. These braces apply gentle, consistent pressure to move adjacent teeth into new positions, creating space for the impacted tooth. Following this, Dr. Chai and Dr. Luter will perform a minor surgical procedure to expose the impacted tooth. An orthodontic bracket will be bonded to the tooth, and a small chain will be attached to guide the tooth into the correct position as it erupts.
During your consultation, your oral surgeon will discuss the anesthesia options available for the procedure. Typically, local anesthesia and IV sedation are used to ensure a comfortable experience.
Types of Anesthesia
At Dental Implants & Oral Surgery of Longmont, we offer various anesthesia options to ensure our patients’ comfort and safety during surgery. Your oral surgeon will select the best anesthesia for your procedure by considering your medical history, personal preferences, and specific treatment plan.
Patient Testimonials
Hear from our patients about their experiences with Impacted Tooth Exposure and other procedures.
"When I first walked into this practice, I felt super comforted and everybody was super friendly and welcoming. My doctor was so amazing, so funny, so great. My procedure went very, very well, and I had such a smooth recovery."
"My doctor was amazing. He answered all my questions. He was he was very caring and understood my concerns. Did my procedure go well? I would say it went fantastic and the recovery was amazing. I was very happy with with the outcome."
"My doctor was phenomenal. He first of all, very professional, gentle, very kind. He put me at ease right away. The caring that I have encountered here just can't be beat."
"I brought both of my daughters to Dental Implants and Oral Surgery of Longmont, and they had their wisdom teeth removed. When my daughters and I first walked into this practice, the staff was great. They were very attentive to my daughters’ needs. The doctors are wonderful."
"When I first walked into the office, the staff here was really welcoming. They're very kind. My doctor was really personable and attentive, and very professional. The WUWTA videos really helped me feel more informed before my surgery, and they gave me a lot of tips for the post-op care."
"When I first walked into the practice, they made me comfortable and relaxed, and very friendly."
"I was amazed by how welcoming the staff was. They really go out of their way to make sure that everyone is comfortable. My doctor was very professional."
"I was immediately struck by how warm and gracious the staff were. What matters to me is I want somebody in this kind of work who is technically perfect. By far, this is the best practitioner I've ever been to."
"I felt cared for and I felt comfortable. They were all really nice. My doctor was awesome. He's friendly and you know, when you walk in, he makes you feel cared for and he makes going to the doctor fun. My procedure went perfect and the recovery was great."
Building Better Smiles For Longmont
At Dental Implants & Oral Surgery of Longmont, our goal is to bring you the best smile possible through exceptional oral surgery services tailored to meet your unique needs. From your first appointment until well after your procedure, we are here to support you on your journey to optimal oral health. We encourage you to reach out to our office to schedule a consultation and discover the life-changing power of oral surgery.