Exposure and Bracketing of Impacted Teeth

An impacted tooth is one that cannot properly erupt through the gums. Many patients develop issues with impacted wisdom teeth. While the wisdom teeth are the most likely teeth to become impacted, any tooth can be affected. The upper canines, or maxillary cuspids, are the second most likely to become impacted. However, unlike your wisdom teeth, your canines are important. At Optimum Oral Surgery Group, we can help your impacted canines, and other impacted teeth, erupt and move into proper alignment with exposure and bracketing.

Why are Canines Important?

While the wisdom teeth are not crucial teeth, and can, therefore, be removed to solve issues caused by impaction, other teeth that are impacted, like canines, play an important role. Like your other teeth, the canines are important for biting and chewing, speech, and your smile. They are also integral for the health of your jawbone. The canines also play other important roles such as:

What Causes Impacted Teeth?

There are several different issues that can cause your wisdom teeth to become impacted. These issues include:

Exposure of Impacted Teeth

Impacted teeth, like canines are watched closely in childhood. Warning signs of impacted canines often present themselves early, which can then allow for the prevention of the issue. Even so, impacted canines can still occur. If the issue arises, it is important to seek treatment. The older you are, the less likely it becomes that your canines will erupt on their own.

Before receiving treatment, a thorough oral exam is needed. Not only do we look over the visible structures in your mouth, but we also take other images, including x-rays and 3D scans, which allow us to see the hidden structures. We can also use these images to create a customized treatment plan to provide you with the best results possible.

In many cases, impacted teeth can be surgically exposed and pulled into the mouth using a special bracket that is attached to orthodontic work. To place the bracket, a surgical procedure is needed. A small incision is made in the gums, providing us with access to the impacted teeth. We then bond a small bracket to the front surface. A small chain on the bracket is attached to your orthodontic work. An elastic O-ring is then used to provide tension, which helps to coax the impacted tooth into proper alignment. As your tooth erupts, the elastic is periodically adjusted to provide it with the tension it needs.

Impacted teeth require treatment right away. While impacted wisdom teeth can be extracted, your canines, and other teeth are important. Exposure bracketing can help these impacted teeth move into proper placement, improving your oral health and the quality of your smile. For more information, and to schedule your consultation, call Optimum Oral Surgery Group at (856) 437-4432 today.