3300 E. 1st Ave., Ste 690, Denver, CO 80206
720-792-8227If your tooth becomes impacted, or unable to erupt properly, our oral surgeons provide treatments to help the tooth emerge from your gums so you can enjoy a healthy and fully functional smile. We will evaluate your tooth to create an individualized treatment plan and ensure you are receiving the most effective treatment option possible.
What is an Impacted Tooth?
An impacted tooth is a dental condition where a tooth fails to fully emerge through the gums. This is most commonly seen with wisdom teeth, but can occur with any tooth in the mouth. The impaction can be partial or complete, depending on whether the tooth has partially emerged or remains entirely beneath the gum line. Impactions occur due to a lack of space in the jawline, misalignment of the teeth or abnormalities in dental development. This condition can lead to various complications, including pain, infection, damage to adjacent teeth and cyst formation.
Impacted Tooth Exposure Procedure
The impacted tooth exposure procedure is a surgical method performed by our oral surgeons to assist in the proper eruption of a tooth that has failed to emerge naturally. This intervention is particularly common in orthodontic treatment plans, especially when braces or other dental appliances are used to correct misalignments.
- Initial Assessment: The procedure begins with a thorough examination of your dental structure, using X-rays or CT scans to determine the position and condition of the impacted tooth.
- Anesthesia: To ensure comfort, you will be given local anesthesia, sedation or general anesthesia based on the complexity of the procedure and your health and preferences.
- Exposure of the Tooth: Our oral surgeons will make a small incision in the gum tissue overlying the impacted tooth. This allows access to the tooth and the surrounding bone.
- Removal of Bone (if necessary): In some cases, the surgeon may need to remove a small amount of bone from around the tooth. This is done carefully to avoid damaging the tooth and surrounding structures.
- Attachment of Orthodontic Bracket: Once the tooth is exposed, an orthodontic bracket is often attached to the tooth with a special dental adhesive. This bracket has a small chain attached to it.
- Closing the Gum Tissue: The gum tissue is then repositioned around the exposed tooth, leaving the chain accessible outside the gums. The incision is sutured closed, with only the small chain visible.
- Orthodontic Traction: The chain is used to gently apply traction to the tooth, guiding its movement into the correct position within the dental arch. This is typically integrated into an existing orthodontic treatment plan
Post-operative care is crucial for a smooth recovery. Patients are advised to follow a soft diet, maintain oral hygiene with careful brushing and rinsing and avoid disturbing the surgical site. Pain, swelling and minor bleeding are common but manageable with medications prescribed by our oral surgeons. Follow-up visits are essential to monitor healing and progress in tooth movement.
Make An Appointment
Contact Cherry Creek Restorative Dentistry today at 720-792-8227 to make an appointment with Dr. Bryan Chai or Dr. J. Brandon Luter and learn more about impacted tooth exposure in Denver, Colorado!
