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.