Exposure of Impacted Teeth
Care for Impacted Teeth Exposure
Impacted teeth exposure can present significant challenges for patients in Conway, SC, often leading to discomfort, infections, or complications with surrounding teeth. At Rollar Oral Surgery, we understand the importance of proper surgical intervention to alleviate discomfort and prevent further complications. Below, we explore the causes, treatment options, and importance of early detection for impacted teeth. Whether you’re seeking information on surgical intervention or preventive measures, this guide provides valuable insights to help address impacted teeth effectively. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
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About Impacted Teeth
An impacted tooth is a tooth that’s essentially “stuck” and can’t fully emerge into its proper position. This is a common issue with wisdom teeth, or third molars, which often get trapped at the back of the jaw. Impacted wisdom teeth can lead to painful infections and other complications, and since they rarely serve a functional purpose, they’re typically removed if they cause problems.
However, wisdom teeth aren’t the only ones that can become impacted. The upper canine, also known as the maxillary canine or eyetooth, is the second most commonly impacted tooth. Unlike wisdom teeth, canines are crucial to your bite and oral function. Known for their long roots and strong biting power, these teeth act as guides, helping the jaw close properly and ensuring the rest of the teeth align correctly.
Canines are usually the last of the front teeth to erupt, typically around age 12. As they come in, they often close any gaps between the upper front teeth, completing the alignment of your smile. But when a canine becomes impacted, dentists and orthodontists take extra steps to encourage it to move into its proper place in the dental arch. These techniques can be used for any impacted tooth, though they’re most commonly applied to upper canines.
Early Recognition of Impacted Teeth
As patients grow older, the chances of an impacted canine erupting on its own significantly decrease, even if there’s enough space in the dental arch. That’s why early detection is crucial. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children get a Panorex x-ray and exam around age seven. This helps count the teeth and identify any potential issues with the eruption of adult teeth, including whether any teeth are missing or not coming in as expected.
During this exam, your dentist or hygienist will assess your child’s dental development and refer you to an orthodontist if there are any concerns. If a problem is spotted, treatment might involve using braces to create space for adult teeth to erupt properly. In more complex cases, an oral surgeon may need to step in to remove stubborn baby teeth, extra adult teeth, or supernumerary teeth (those unexpected extra teeth) that are blocking the way. If action is taken early, there’s a good chance the impacted canine tooth will erupt naturally once its path is cleared.
However, timing is everything. As the patient gets older, specifically around ages 13-14, the impacted canine becomes far less likely to erupt on its own, even with intervention. For adults over 40, the tooth may become fused in place, making it nearly impossible to move, no matter the efforts of orthodontists or oral surgeons. In these cases, extraction becomes the only viable option, followed by exploring alternative solutions to restore the missing tooth in the dental arch.
What Happens if the Tooth Won’t Erupt When Proper Space Is Available?
When a canine tooth fails to erupt naturally, an orthodontist and oral surgeon often work together to guide it into place. The journey usually starts with the orthodontist placing braces on the teeth, often focusing on the upper arch, to create space for the impacted canine. If the baby canine tooth hasn’t fallen out yet, it’s left in place until the new space is ready. Once the orthodontist has prepared the space, the patient is referred to an oral surgeon for the next step: exposing the impacted tooth.
During a simple in-office surgical procedure, the oral surgeon carefully lifts the gum tissue to uncover the hidden tooth. If the baby tooth is still present, it’s removed during the same appointment. Once the impacted tooth is visible, the surgeon attaches a small orthodontic bracket. This bracket is connected to a tiny gold chain, which is positioned to extend out of the gum and attach to the orthodontic wire. Depending on the tooth’s location, the surgeon may leave it fully exposed by adjusting the gum tissue or may reposition the gum and stitch it back in place, leaving just the chain visible.
After the surgery, the patient returns to the orthodontist, where the real work begins. A small rubber band is attached to the gold chain, applying gentle pressure to encourage the tooth to gradually move into its proper spot. This process is slow and controlled, often taking up to a year to complete. Once the tooth is in its final position, the gum tissue around it is carefully evaluated to ensure it’s strong and healthy for lifelong use. In some cases where the tooth was moved a significant distance, minor gum surgery may be needed to strengthen the tissue around the relocated tooth, ensuring it remains healthy during daily activities like chewing and brushing.
Signs You May Need Impacted Tooth Exposure Surgery
This procedure is typically recommended when:
- A canine tooth hasn’t emerged by age 13 or 14
- A tooth remains trapped beneath the gum and fails to erupt naturally
- Dental imaging shows a tooth growing sideways or in an abnormal position
- Your dentist or orthodontist notices crowding or delayed eruption during routine exams
While teens and young adults are most commonly affected, adults may also benefit from this procedure. If your orthodontist recommends tooth exposure surgery, our team is here to coordinate care with precision and compassion.
Common Symptoms That May Signal an Impacted Tooth
- A baby tooth that hasn’t fallen out on schedule
- A permanent tooth—often a canine—that hasn’t erupted by the expected age
- Swelling or tenderness in the gum where a tooth should have appeared
- Jaw pain or pressure near the site of an unerupted tooth
- Bulging in the gum or roof of the mouth over an impacted area
- Shifting or misaligned teeth due to crowding
- Headaches or jaw discomfort linked to impaction
- Gaps in the smile where adult teeth are missing
- Cysts or abnormal tissue near the impacted tooth
- Delays in orthodontic progress because a tooth hasn’t moved into place
These signs are often first identified by your dentist or orthodontist. If any apply to you, a consultation with a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon in Conway, SC is the next step.
Conditions That May Require Tooth Exposure Surgery
- Impacted Canine – When the upper eye tooth remains stuck under gum or bone
- Tooth Ankylosis – A tooth fused to the jawbone that cannot erupt
- Ectopic Eruption – A tooth growing in the wrong direction or angle
- Dental Crowding – Limited space prevents proper eruption
- Delayed Eruption – A permanent tooth hasn’t emerged by the expected age
- Impacted Premolars or Incisors – Less common, but still significant
- Supernumerary Teeth – Extra teeth block the eruption path
- Dentigerous Cyst – A fluid-filled sac over an unerupted tooth
- Orthodontic Planning – Braces require all teeth to be in proper position
- Trauma-Related Impaction – Past injury prevents normal eruption
These conditions are typically diagnosed through X-rays or 3D scans. Once confirmed, treatment by a board-certified oral surgeon in Conway, SC ensures safe, effective results.
Oral Surgery, Educational Videos for Patients
At Rollar Oral Surgery we’re dedicated to providing the best oral surgery experience and part of that means upholding the highest ethical standards. As part of this commitment, we offer a comprehensive Patient Library.
In our Patient Library you will find special videos designed to promote transparency, reduce anxiety and ensure every patient feels confident and well-informed before treatment.