Exposure of Impacted Teeth

Guide Impacted Canines Into Their Proper Position

An impacted tooth is one that has become trapped beneath the gums and is unable to erupt into the dental arch. Sometimes an impacted tooth may naturally emerge into its proper place, but this is rare. When wisdom teeth are impacted, they are simply extracted because they are not necessary for good oral health. Canine teeth, however, are crucial for biting and tearing into food, and every effort should be made to save these teeth.

Dr. S. Clint Hudson treats impacted canine teeth with an expose and bond procedure. He is a board-certified oral surgeon and physician, holding both a dental degree and a medical degree. Through his years of training and expertise, Dr. Hudson treats every patient with the highest level of care possible. If you or your child have an impacted canine tooth, contact Huntsville Oral Surgery & Dental Implants in Huntsville, AL, to schedule a consultation.

What Causes Canine Teeth to Become Impacted?

There are a number of reasons why canine teeth become trapped beneath the gums. It’s important to attend regular dental visits with your general dentist, who is trained to identify an impacted tooth early and refer you to an oral surgeon for treatment. The sooner an impacted tooth is addressed, the better the outcome and the sooner the patient achieves proper dental alignment. Issues that commonly cause an impacted tooth include:

• Overcrowding
• Abnormal growths
• Genetics
• Losing baby teeth too early
• Alignment issues

Risks of Leaving an Impacted Tooth Untreated

The most common teeth to become impacted are wisdom teeth and canine teeth. Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are unnecessary for proper oral health. The average mouth does not have enough room for an extra set of molars, so dental professionals recommend simply having wisdom teeth extracted.

Canine teeth, however, serve many purposes in the mouth and should erupt into their proper places for optimum health and function. Canine teeth are sharp and pointy, good for biting and tearing food. They guide the other front teeth into alignment and help to guide a proper bite.

When an impacted canine tooth is left untreated, they remain buried behind the gum tissue. Some may attempt to find a path into the dental arch and cause damage to nearby teeth or their roots. Impacted teeth are difficult to clean around and can lead to infections or the formations of cysts around the tooth. You can avoid all of these complications and more by having Dr. Hudson expose the tooth and guide it into the dental arch.

Expose and Bond Treatment

Treatment for an impacted canine tooth is called expose and bond. Your oral surgeon exposes the tooth and attaches a bracket with a gold chain to it. Your orthodontist then bonds the chain to your braces and uses orthodontics to slowly pull the tooth into position.

Prior to undergoing any type of surgery, you will meet with Dr. Hudson for a consultation. At this appointment, he and our staff will take 3D scans of your mouth and design a custom treatment plan for your needs. We will also discuss your options for anesthesia or sedation to ensure you remain comfortable throughout any type of procedure.

The total treatment time for an impacted canine tooth varies. Some patients may need to wear braces for a few years before the canine tooth can be brought down, while others can undergo the exposure procedure shortly after receiving braces.

Treatment for Impacted Canines in Huntsville, AL

We will outline your treatment with you and answer any questions you have, keeping you informed and at ease throughout every step of your care. Contact Huntsville Oral Surgery & Dental Implants in Huntsville, AL, if you or your child have an impacted canine tooth, bite misalignment, or would like to learn about how oral surgery can improve the appearance and function of your smile.