Impacted teeth are a condition that occurs when a tooth fails to emerge properly through the gums, instead remaining trapped within the bone and gum tissue. Impacted teeth can lead to a variety of problems, including discomfort and infection. Dr. Erica Becker offers tooth exposure and bonding procedures to help these teeth erupt correctly so you can enjoy a healthy smile.
The most common teeth to become impacted are wisdom teeth, or third molars. This is due to insufficient space in the dental arch. This lack of space can lead to a number of oral health complications, making it necessary to extract your wisdom teeth in order to safeguard the health of your teeth, gums and jawbone. However, any teeth in your mouth can become impacted, and after your wisdom teeth the most common teeth to become impacted are the upper canines, or eye teeth. These teeth play a crucial role in your bite and smile aesthetics, making their proper eruption essential.
If your teeth are impacted, our oral surgeon will begin your treatment with a comprehensive evaluation, including X-rays. This helps determine the position of the impacted tooth and its effect on the surrounding oral structures so that we can develop an effective treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
Exposing an impacted tooth typically involves removing the gum tissue overlaying the tooth. For some patients, this is enough to allow the tooth to continue to erupt normally. For other patients, additional exposure and bonding is needed. If this is the case for you, our oral surgeon will proceed with your treatment by bonding an orthodontic attachment to the impacted tooth. The attachment is connected to a small chain and works to exert gentle, consistent force to guide the tooth into its optimal position. This process not only addresses the immediate issue of impaction, but also ensures the alignment and functionality of your bite, contributing to the overall aesthetics of your smile. This improves your oral health and your comfort levels and prevents potential complications in the future.
For more information about tooth exposure and bonding in Glendale, Arizona, and to schedule a consultation with our oral surgeon, please contact Sunrise Mountain Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery today at 623-231-5220. We are committed to helping you enjoy a more comfortable and confident smile!