Exposure of Impacted Teeth

What is an impacted tooth?

An impacted tooth simply means that it is “stuck” and cannot erupt into function.

Which Teeth are Most Commonly Impacted?

The most commonly impacted teeth are the wisdom teeth (third molars). These teeth provide no functional or cosmetic benefit; unfortunately, their impaction brings with it the potential for causing problems. For this reason, wisdom teeth are usually extracted.

The second most commonly impacted teeth are the canines. The canines (commonly called the “cuspids” or “eye teeth”) are critical teeth to keep. These teeth play a crucial role in the occlusion, or “bite”, and esthetics.

What Happens if the Canine Tooth Does Not Erupt Properly?

If the canines do not erupt in the proper position, the orthodontist and oral surgeon must intervene. Together, a treatment plan is established to guide these teeth into their proper place in the mouth.

The orthodontist will typically initiate orthodontic treatment and will create space for the impacted tooth. Occasionally, this alone will be enough to stimulate the eruption of the impacted tooth. If the tooth still does not erupt properly, the orthodontist will refer the patient to Dr. Burns for additional treatment to guide the tooth into its proper location. 

Dr. Burns will utilize advanced 3-D imaging (CBCT) to determine the present position of the impacted tooth. This imaging is used to plan the best approach for guiding the tooth into place. 

Surgical treatment will consist of local anesthetic to the area, exposure of the tooth to be guided, and potentially placement of a bracket and chain on the impacted tooth. A bracket and chain will then be used by the orthodontist to apply gentle pressure to guide the tooth out of its impacted position and into the proper position within the arch of the mouth. 

Once the tooth has moved to its final position, the gum around the tooth will be evaluated for health, and the bracket and chain will be removed by the orthodontist. In some circumstances, the gum tissue may require minor surgery to improve esthetics and function.