Impacted Teeth: What You Need to Know
When a tooth is unable to fully emerge from the gum line, it’s referred to as an impacted tooth. While any tooth can be impacted, canines and wisdom teeth are the most commonly affected.
Wisdom Teeth vs. Canine Teeth
For impacted wisdom teeth, removal is often the best course of action. However, impacted canines require a different approach. Canines play an essential role in your dental health, so rather than removing them, the goal is to expose the tooth to allow it to develop properly.
What Causes Canine Impaction?
Several factors can contribute to canine teeth becoming impacted:
- Abnormal growths blocking the tooth’s path
- Delayed loss of primary teeth
- Limited space in the mouth
- Extra teeth crowding the area
Early detection is key to addressing impacted teeth and giving them the best chance to develop naturally. Scheduling regular dental checkups with our team for your children can help identify potential issues early on.
Diagnosing and Treating Impacted Teeth
If our team suspects tooth impaction, diagnostic imaging such as X-rays or CT scans will confirm the issue. Left untreated, an impacted canine may develop a cyst around its crown, potentially leading to more serious dental problems, including damage to the surrounding teeth.
How Are Impacted Teeth Exposed?
Exposing an impacted tooth is a collaborative process between an orthodontist and an oral surgeon:
- Creating space: The orthodontist will first move adjacent teeth into proper alignment to make room for the impacted tooth.
- Exposing the tooth: The oral surgeon removes any gum or bone tissue covering the tooth.
- Guiding the tooth: A small chain is attached to the exposed tooth. The orthodontist will gently guide the tooth into its proper position over time.
What to Expect During and After the Procedure
Impacted tooth exposure is a straightforward procedure performed with local anesthesia or intravenous sedation to ensure comfort. While some soreness is normal afterward, swelling is typically minimal. Pain medication may be prescribed, though antibiotics are rarely needed.
To promote healing, be sure to follow these tips:
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Stick to soft foods for the first 24 hours.
- Avoid hot foods or drinks, especially until the anesthetic wears off.
- Refrain from eating crunchy foods during the first week.
- Rinse with salt water three times daily for one week, and avoid mouthwash.
- Use ice packs to reduce swelling and keep your head elevated.
- To control bleeding, apply firm pressure with gauze or cotton for 15 minutes.
- Avoid strenuous activities on the day of surgery.
Our team will schedule follow-up appointments to monitor the healing process and ensure proper alignment as the tooth develops. Ongoing orthodontic care will help achieve the best results.
If you’ve been advised to undergo an impacted tooth exposure, we’re here to help. Contact our office at (703) 256-8554 in Springfield or (703) 541-3110 in Lorton to schedule a consultation and discuss the best treatment options for your unique situation.
