When teeth don’t develop correctly, it’s possible for them to become stuck in the gums, a condition called impaction. Impacted teeth can occur in a variety of situations: baby teeth not falling out, bone or a growth blocking the eruption path, or the incoming tooth being too large are all common causes of impaction. Wisdom teeth and canine teeth are the most likely to become impacted, but while wisdom teeth can simply be removed, canines are vital to the proper development of your bite. We offer treatment for impacted teeth at our office in Bellaire, TX, and we encourage you to schedule a consultation if you think you may be experiencing this condition.
What causes impacted canines?
Canines generally begin growing when patients are around 10 years old and finish development over the next few years. The most common reasons that canine teeth become impacted include
- Too many teeth in the dental arch
- Bone or a growth blocking the eruption path
- Dental crowding blocking the canine’s spot in the arch
- Baby teeth not falling out
When you come in for your consultation, your oral surgeon will determine the cause of your impacted teeth, which will help us develop a comprehensive and individualized treatment plan.
Exposure of Impacted Teeth
Exposure and bonding is typically the recommended treatment for impacted canines. The procedure involves both your oral surgeon and your orthodontist working together to bring the teeth down into their proper position.
The expose and bond treatment typically begins with the patient receiving braces. The braces are meant to move the rest of your teeth into the proper position and out of the way so that your canines have enough room to move in. Once all of your teeth have moved and allowed enough room for your canines, your oral surgeon will take over. He will expose the tooth in the gums and then attach a bracket and small chain to it. Your orthodontist will use this chain to bring tooth down into its proper position in the dental arch.
In rare and severe instances of impaction, a tooth may need to be removed. In these cases, we will discuss your options for tooth replacement with you, such as dental implants.
Impacted Teeth at Bellaire Facial, Oral & Dental Implant Surgery
If you notice that your canines are impacted, or your child’s canines are not erupting properly, we encourage you to contact our office in Bellaire, TX. Our doctor will examine your condition and determine the best course of treatment, whether you need an expose and bond procedure or an extraction. We look forward to meeting you and restoring your smile.
