Guide Impacted Teeth to the Dental Arch
When a tooth is unable to grow into the mouth naturally (impacted), your surgeon works with your orthodontist to guide the tooth into its place with a procedure called expose and bond.
In some cases, a tooth can't come into position in the mouth due to a blockage of the growth path. This leaves the tooth partially or completely trapped beneath the gums, also known as impaction. Impaction can affect any tooth but is particularly common for wisdom teeth and canines.
Whether or not wisdom teeth are impacted, they are commonly recommended for removal; since canine teeth play a more important role in the function of the mouth, treatment rather than removal is usually recommended.
What Are Symptoms of an Impacted Tooth?
A canine tooth that is impacted may have some symptoms or none at all. Common symptoms of impaction include:
- Pain
- Red or swollen gums
- Persistent bad breath
- Unpleasant taste in the mouth
Canine teeth are commonly impacted for different reasons, such as baby teeth that block the growth path of the adult tooth, unusual growths, misalignment, or even extra teeth in the mouth.
Exposure and Bonding Process
Your dentist can confirm an impacted tooth with an X-ray or CT scan. If your child’s canine tooth is impacted, an oral surgeon and orthodontist will work hand in hand to perform treatment. For most patients, early treatment to expose a canine tooth is recommended.
An orthodontist will perform the first step of treatment, which includes preparing the mouth with braces. Your orthodontist will use the braces to apply gentle and steady pressure to move the surrounding teeth into their new positions strategically and create a space for the impacted tooth. Dr. Nedbalski or Dr. Luter will perform a minor surgical procedure to expose the impacted tooth. An orthodontic bracket is bonded to the tooth, and the orthodontist will use the small chain attached to ensure the tooth grows into the right position in the mouth.
Your oral surgeon will discuss your options for anesthesia for the surgical procedure during your consultation. Many times, local anesthetic and IV sedation are used.
Types of Anesthesia
Boulder Oral Surgery performs a wide scope of oral surgery procedures and offers many types of anesthesia for the comfort and safety of our patients. The anesthesia used for your procedure will be selected by your oral surgeon. Your health history, personal preference, and unique treatment plan will all be considered when deciding which anesthesia is right for you.
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Building Better Smiles For Boulder
At Boulder Oral Surgery & Dental Implants, 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 to 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.