Exposure of Impacted Teeth

Canine teeth are located in the front, top row of the dental arch on the sides of the four front teeth. They are crucial for biting and tearing food. Sometimes, these teeth can become impacted, or trapped beneath the gum.

Wisdom teeth can also become impacted, but these teeth are extracted because they are not needed for oral function. Canine teeth, however, assist in proper speaking and eating, and help guide the alignment of the front teeth. Dr. Karas treats impacted canine teeth with an expose and bond procedure, which is a joint effort between your oral surgeon and your orthodontist to help this tooth successfully erupt into the dental arch.

Signs of an Impacted Tooth

An impacted canine tooth doesn’t always display symptoms. It’s important to attend checkups with your dentist, who takes X-rays to monitor the alignment and development of your teeth. When an impacted tooth is noticed, your dentist will refer you to an oral surgeon for treatment. Some patients experience symptoms of tooth impaction, including:

• Infection, which can cause ongoing bad breath and a bad taste in your mouth
• Difficulty chewing
• Pain when biting into food
• Red, swollen, or tender gums

The Expose and Bond Procedure in Walnut Creek, CA

Dr. Karas will outline your treatment during your first visit, as well as discuss your options for anesthesia and take 3D scans. These digital images help us plan treatment with precision and track your development throughout healing.

The expose and bond procedure is performed by your oral surgeon and orthodontist. Your oral surgeon will expose the impacted tooth and attach a bracket and gold chain to it. Then, your orthodontist will use braces to slowly guide the tooth into the correct position. Once treatment has finished, your canine tooth will be in alignment with your front teeth and function properly.