Impacted Tooth Exposure

An impacted (unerupted) tooth is a tooth that fails to fully pass through the gum tissues and/or bone because something prevents its normal eruption into the mouth, such as dense soft tissue, bone, tooth malposition, cysts, or another tooth. If a tooth fails to emerge, or emerges only partially, it is considered to be impacted.

Your orthodontist will refer you to us for surgical exposure of an impacted tooth as part of the orthodontic treatment. This procedure involves elevation of gum tissue and removal of bone overlying the tooth in order to expose the impacted tooth underneath. Once the tooth is exposed, often we will bond an orthodontic bracket and chain to the exposed tooth. Following surgical intervention and initial healing you will be referred back to your orthodontist where he/she will attach the chain to the orthodontics wire and slowly move the exposed tooth into its proper position in the dental arch.