Exposure of Impacted Teeth

What is an impacted tooth?

 

An impacted tooth is a “stuck” tooth that cannot erupt into action. People usually develop issues with impacted wisdom (third molar) teeth. These teeth become “stuck” in the rear jaw and can lead to infections and other problems. Since there is rarely a functional requirement for Wisdom Teeth, they are always removed if they develop issues. The upper eyetooth (maxillary cuspid) is the second commonest tooth to be impacted. The cuspid tooth is essential and plays a critical role in biting. The cuspid teeth are very sturdy, biting teeth with the deepest roots of any human teeth. They can be the first teeth that meet when your jaws close, so they direct the remaining teeth into the proper bite.

Usually, the maxillary cuspid teeth are the last of the “front” teeth to erupt into place. They always come into position around age 13 and tightens the space between the upper front teeth. If a cuspid tooth becomes impacted, every attempt is made to enable its eruption into the right place. The procedures involved to assist eruption can be practiced on any impacted tooth in the lower or upper jaw. Still, usually, they are done to the upper eye (maxillary cuspid) teeth. More than half of these impacted eyeteeth are on the palatal end of the dental arch. The rest of the impacted eye teeth can be seen midway of the supporting bone, but are fixated in an elevated position higher than the roots of the adjacent teeth, or are out to the facial end of the dental arch.

EARLY DETECTION OF IMPACTED EYETEETH IS THE CRITICAL FACTOR TO SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT

The older the person gets, the more possible an impacted eyetooth will not erupt naturally, even if there’s available space for the tooth to remain in the dental arch. A panoramic x-ray, as well as with a dental examination that will determine if all the adult teeth are there or missing. Therapy may include referring the patient to an oral surgeon for removal of over-retained baby teeth or chosen adult teeth that are blocking the eruption of the critical eyeteeth. The oral surgeon also requires extracting any extra teeth or developments that are halting the eruption of any adult teeth.

Impacted tooth success by a person’s age:

  • 11-12 years old – with space available for eruption, a right choice for success.
  • 13-14 years old – the impacted eyetooth will not grow by itself, even with available space for its eruption.
  • Over 40 years old – a greater possibility that the tooth will be fused in place. The only choice is to extract and substitute the impacted tooth with a crown on a dental implant or a fixed bridge.

WHAT OCCURS WHEN THE EYETOOTH FAILS TO ERUPT WITH ADEQUATE SPACE?

In conditions where the eyeteeth will not sprout spontaneously, the oral surgeon and orthodontist work as a team to ensure teeth eruption. Each person is managed as an individual, but treatment usually involves a joint effort between the two specialists. The oral surgeon will show off and bracket the impacted eyetooth.

Exposure and Bracketing of an Impacted Cuspid

The aim is to erupt and not extract the impacted tooth. Once the tooth reaches its final destination, the gum surrounding it will be assessed. In some instances, there may be a requirement for minor “gum surgery.”

EXPECTATIONS FROM A SURGERY THAT EXPOSES & BRACKETS AN IMPACTED TOOTH

A direct surgical procedure is used to expose and bracket an impacted tooth, and this is done in the oral surgeon’s office. For most people, it is done under laughing gas and local anesthesia. In specific conditions, it will be performed utilizing IV sedation if the person will like to sleep, but this is usually not important for this act. If the procedure needs an exposure of the tooth with no bracketing, half the time will be required. A detailed explanation will be given to you at your preoperative consultation with your physician.

Check out the Preoperative Instructions under Surgical Instructions on our website for a detailed review. Dial the Gastonia Office Phone Number Gastonia Office Phone Number 704-865-7603 to make inquiries.