Braasch Oral Surgery performs impacted tooth exposure procedures in Bedford, NH. Call our office at 603-657-1984 to learn more and schedule an appointment for yourself or your child.
What Are Impacted Teeth?
Impaction means that a tooth cannot erupt in its proper position. If a permanent tooth is impacted it can affect the function and aesthetics of the child's teeth.
An oral surgeon's and orthodontist's prompt attention can help to solve the problem and correctly align the child's teeth.
Canine teeth need exposure treatment most frequently. The canine guides the alignment of other teeth, so its improper placement can have negative effects on a child’s overall oral health.
Causes of Impacted Teeth
Teeth may experience impaction because they are sitting at the wrong orientation, positioned incorrectly within the jawbone, or there is no room for them to erupt through the gum in the expected location. Retained baby teeth can also cause problems. More rarely, children and adults may have extra teeth that need extraction before the exposure process can begin.
Treatment Options For Impacted Teeth
Working with an experienced orthodontist, an oral surgeon can help move the tooth to its proper position in the mouth. The orthodontist must first make room for the tooth using braces, space maintainers, or other appliances. Sometimes, other teeth will need extraction before the process can begin.
Exposing the tooth is a routine oral surgery procedure. The oral surgeon performs it under local or general anesthesia. Once the area is numb, the oral surgeon opens the gum to access the hidden tooth. They attach an orthodontic bracket to the tooth and add a chain. The chain connects to existing braces. Over months, the chain will pull the canine tooth into the correct position.
Postoperative Care After Tooth Exposure
Click here for patient instructionsFrequently Asked Questions About Impacted Tooth Exposure
If my child's permanent tooth erupts in the wrong place, can you move it, or will it have to come out?
Whether the oral surgeon chooses exposure or extraction for an impacted tooth depends on various factors. As the patient ages, the tooth will likely be fused in position. Complete fusion is likely after the age of 40. At this point, extracting the tooth may be the only option.
Why is the canine tooth's placement so important?
Canines are the last permanent teeth to erupt. They usually erupt between the ages of 11 and 13. If this tooth erupts incorrectly or not at all, it can cause far-reaching orthodontic consequences.
Will my child need braces if they have an impacted tooth?
Braces are necessary to fix an impacted tooth. They are unnecessary to fix an impacted wisdom tooth, which needs a simple extraction.
Is impacted tooth exposure painful?
The procedure is not painful due to anesthesia but can cause swelling, stiffness, and bleeding in the following days. Ensure that you follow all of the oral surgeon's post-operative instructions.
What can I eat after impacted tooth exposure?
Soft foods are best for the first few days. As you feel more comfortable, you can resume your regular diet. Avoid hard and crunchy foods like chips while the surgical site is healing.
How long does it take for an exposed tooth to align with its neighbors?
The tooth may take several months to two years to reach its final placement.
Can impacted teeth cause oral health problems?
If you do not address impacted teeth, serious oral health problems may occur. These may include a greater risk of gum disease, decay, periodontal disease, premature wear on teeth, and a type of growth called a dentigerous cyst. Dentigerous cysts grow on top of unerupted permanent teeth. These cysts can cause loss of the jaw bone and damage to adjacent teeth.
Call Braasch Oral Surgery
If you have noticed that your child's teeth are emerging incorrectly, or if you believe you may have an impacted tooth, call us at 603-657-1984 for an appointment. We partner with trusted local orthodontists to expose and move impacted teeth before they can cause severe problems.