Impaction occurs when teeth are unable to erupt completely and instead become stuck beneath the surface of the gums. An expose and bond can prevent problems such as infection and damage to nearby teeth from occurring.
Impaction occurs when teeth are unable to erupt completely and instead become stuck beneath the surface of the gums. Impacted teeth often cause more serious oral health problems if left untreated, such as the development of infection, cysts, or damage to nearby teeth. Impaction most commonly affects wisdom teeth and canine teeth — the pointy teeth located near the front of the mouth. Whereas removal is the solution for impacted wisdom teeth, canines require different treatment.
Canine teeth are crucial to the alignment of your other teeth. Removing canines negatively affects the development of your overall bite, and our oral surgeon avoids this solution unless it's the only viable option. When you visit our office in Dallas, TX, for your or your child's consultation, our doctor will discuss all treatment options before determining which one best fits your individual needs.
Canine teeth begin developing around age 10 and can finish growing at any age, depending on the patient. A few causes of impacted canines include the following:
Dr. Phillips will examine you or your child and determine the cause of impaction at your consultation appointment. Once the cause is determined, he can develop an appropriate treatment plan.
Depending on the stage of impaction, some patients can visit their orthodontist for treatment. Braces can often remedy early signs of impaction by moving your teeth and helping the canines erupt properly. However, if the impaction is too severe for braces to correct, an oral surgeon can treat them using exposure and bonding. Exposure and bonding treatment involves Dr. Phillips working hand in hand with your orthodontist to bring the canine tooth into its proper position.
First, your orthodontist will apply braces to your teeth to move them into alignment, preparing the dental arch for your canines to erupt. Once your teeth are ready, your oral surgeon will carefully expose your canine tooth in the gums and attach a bracket and chain. Over the next few months, your orthodontist will use this appliance to pull the canine tooth down into its permanent place.
In rare instances, when the canine teeth have become fully impacted, and the roots have solidified, we will have to remove the teeth. In these cases, we offer many options for tooth replacement, such as dental implants. When you visit our office for your consultation, we will determine the stage of impaction and discuss all of your treatment options.
At Park Cities Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates - Dental Implant Experts, our doctor has experience treating patients of all ages. Ensuring you feel safe and comfortable at all times is our top priority. We work closely with several local orthodontists to treat impacted canines, and we strongly believe in the success of a team-based approach. To learn more about treatment for impacted canines or to schedule an appointment at our office in Dallas, TX, please contact a member of our team.
