Impacted Tooth Exposure

Help Impacted Teeth Achieve Proper Position

An impacted tooth is a tooth that is completely or partially stuck beneath the gums. Wisdom teeth are commonly impacted and grow at an angle toward neighboring teeth. The canine teeth are located on either side of the four top front teeth. They can also become impacted, or trapped beneath the gums, and unable to properly erupt into the dental arch.

Several treatments are available for impacted canine teeth. Orthodontic braces can be used to open space for proper eruption, or primary teeth can be extracted to make more room. Alternatively, the impacted tooth can be surgically exposed to allow for the placement of an orthodontic bracket to help align the tooth as it erupts. This procedure is called expose and bond, and our experienced surgeons perform it in the safety and comfort of our offices in Avon, Glastonbury, and Enfield, CT.

Symptoms of an Impacted Canine Tooth

Some impacted teeth do not cause signs or symptoms. This is why it’s important to attend regular checkups with your dentist, who takes X-rays to detect impaction, infection, or other dental problems. If your dentist detects an impacted tooth, he or she will refer you to an oral surgeon for care. You may have an impacted canine tooth if you experience:

• Redness or swelling of the gums
• A visible gap in the teeth where a tooth has failed to appear
• Prolonged headache or facial pain
• Ongoing bad breath, indicating a possible infection
• Pain or tenderness in the mouth

Why It's Important to an Treat Impacted Tooth

Canine teeth emerge around the age of 11 or 12 and are the very last primary teeth to come in. When canines become impacted, it’s important to treat them as soon as possible. When a wisdom tooth is impacted, it is removed, because wisdom teeth are unnecessary for proper oral function. Canine teeth, however, are crucial for a proper bite and have the responsibility of biting and tearing food.

If too much time goes by without treatment, the canine roots can develop and fuse with the jaw bone, and the less likely it will be for these important teeth to emerge properly. The earlier you seek treatment for an impacted canine, the better your results will be. Your teeth are invaluable to your health and personal identity, so taking care of them and ensuring they properly function will improve your confidence and overall quality of life.

Expose and Bond Procedure

Avon Oral, Facial and Dental Implant Surgery makes every effort to ensure your surgical experience is as comfortable as possible. During your first visit, we will walk you through the details of treatment, discuss your options for anesthesia, and answer any questions you may have. Exposing an impacted canine is usually a quick in-office procedure performed by your oral surgeon using either IV or local anesthesia. We will also take 3D scans of your mouth to determine the exact size and position of your teeth.

Our office proudly offers EXPAREL^®, the safe and long-lasting pain management option. It provides comfort following surgery and reduces or eliminates the need for narcotic medication. Learn more about EXPAREL.

Prior to any surgery, an orthodontist must apply braces to your teeth and adjust them so that there is enough room for the canine tooth to fit into the dental arch. When you are ready, you will come to our office for oral surgery.

During the procedure, your oral surgeon will make a small incision in the gum tissue to access the impacted tooth. Then, a bracket will be attached to the tooth with a gold chain that hangs down. This chain is attached to your braces and will gradually pull the tooth down into its proper position.

If you have been recommended for the surgical treatment of an impacted tooth, we encourage you to call Avon Oral, Facial and Dental Implant Surgery where our doctors are highly trained in this type of oral surgery. We look forward to caring for you and your family at one of our offices located in Avon, Glastonbury, and Enfield.