Impacted Canines

A Better Smile Will Soon Emerge

Canine teeth are crucial in maintaining proper dental alignment and ensuring a healthy bite. Because they are at the front of your mouth, they act as guides, leading neighboring teeth to the correct positions when you bite down. Unfortunately, canine teeth may be impacted and unable to perform their normal functions. If left untreated, impacted canines can lead to issues with oral health and function.

A common method of addressing impacted canines is an expose and bond procedure. At Somerset Oral Surgery, Drs. Hecht and Gordon specialize in treating impacted canines thanks to their wealth of knowledge and years of experience. If you want a better, healthier, and more beautiful smile to emerge, contact one of our offices in Somerville, Lebanon, or Hillsborough, NJ for a consultation with one of our oral surgeons.

What Is an Impacted Tooth?

A tooth is impacted when it doesn’t emerge or erupt from the gum line. Canine teeth, or the teeth located toward the front of your mouth, are particularly prone to becoming impacted, ranking second only to wisdom teeth in impaction.

Impacted teeth can be attributed to a variety of factors including the overcrowding of teeth, obstruction of the dental arch, or too little space for the tooth to naturally emerge. Left untreated, impacted teeth can lead to issues with gum disease, eating, tooth decay, and can impact other teeth, causing them to become misaligned.

Causes of Impacted Canines

An impacted canine tooth arises when the adult tooth fails to erupt, becoming lodged within the jawbone. Several factors may lead to this condition including:

• Obstruction by a retained baby tooth or abnormal growth.
• Dental overcrowding.
• Insufficient space within the dental arch.

Early intervention enhances the likelihood of successful tooth eruption and function. Failure to address an impacted tooth promptly may result in fusion with the jawbone, rendering exposure and bonding ineffective. In such cases, tooth extraction followed by dental implant placement becomes necessary.

Exposure and Bonding Process

An expose and bond procedure involves a surgical intervention aimed at revealing the impacted tooth. The procedure starts with an incision in the gums to gain access to the tooth, followed by affixing a bracket equipped with a chain to it. This chain is then linked to braces to gently guide the tooth to the dental arch to facilitate proper alignment, over the course of several months.

Effective treatment of impacted canine teeth relies heavily on the collaboration between oral surgeons and orthodontists. It is imperative to schedule an appointment with your orthodontist within two weeks following the tooth exposure and bracketing procedure to initiate the alignment process promptly. This collaborative effort between specialized professionals is essential for ensuring the successful emergence, functionality, and aesthetic appeal of impacted canines.