Helping Impacted Teeth Erupt Naturally
Your canine teeth play a key role in your bite and smile. They guide your jaw into proper position when you chew and help maintain alignment across your dental arch. When one or both canines fail to emerge properly, they are considered impacted—a condition that can lead to crowding, decay, or shifting of neighboring teeth.
At Arrow Oral Surgery, our oral surgeons specialize in treating impacted teeth with a procedure called exposure and bonding. Working closely with your orthodontist, we help impacted teeth erupt into their correct positions, restoring function and balance to your bite.
What Is an Impacted Tooth?
An impacted tooth is one that remains trapped beneath the gums or within the jawbone instead of erupting into its normal position. While wisdom teeth are most often impacted, canine teeth are the second most common.
Impaction may occur for several reasons, including:
- Baby tooth obstruction: A baby tooth that doesn’t fall out on time can block the permanent tooth.
- Dental crowding: Limited space in the dental arch prevents proper eruption.
- Abnormal positioning: The tooth may grow at an angle that keeps it from emerging naturally.
Without treatment, impacted canines can contribute to chewing difficulties, gum problems, or movement of nearby teeth. In some cases, early intervention allows the tooth to erupt naturally. If left untreated for too long, however, the tooth may require extraction and later replacement with a dental implant.
The Exposure and Bonding Procedure
Exposure and bonding is a minor surgical procedure performed to uncover an impacted tooth and help guide it into its proper place.
During the procedure:
- Anesthesia is administered for comfort (local anesthesia, nitrous oxide, or IV sedation).
- The surgeon gently opens the gum tissue above the impacted tooth.
- A small orthodontic bracket with a gold chain is bonded to the exposed tooth.
- The chain is then attached to your orthodontic appliance (braces or aligner system).
Within about two weeks, your orthodontist will begin gently guiding the tooth into position over time. This teamwork between your oral surgeon and orthodontist ensures a precise and predictable eruption process.
Benefits of Exposure and Bonding
- Restores Proper Alignment: Helps the canine tooth erupt into its correct position, improving your bite and overall smile.
- Prevents Complications: Reduces the risk of cysts, infection, or damage to nearby teeth caused by untreated impaction.
- Enhances Orthodontic Outcomes: Gives your orthodontist control over the direction and pace of tooth movement for more accurate results.
- Preserves Natural Teeth: Allows the natural tooth to be saved and integrated into the arch rather than replaced.
Anesthesia Options
Your comfort and safety are our top priorities. During exposure and bonding, you may choose from:
- Local anesthesia – Numbs the surgical area.
- Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) – Promotes relaxation during treatment.
- IV sedation – Provides a deeper level of comfort for patients who prefer minimal awareness during surgery.
Schedule a Consultation in Mequon, WI
If you or your child has an impacted tooth, early evaluation is key to ensuring the best outcome. At Arrow Oral Surgery, our team collaborates closely with your orthodontist to guide impacted teeth safely into position.
Call today or request a consultation online to learn more about exposure and bonding in Mequon, WI, and take the next step toward a healthy, well-aligned smile.