Impacted Canine Exposure Scarborough MEImpacted Canine Exposure provided by Coastal Maine Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery in Scarborough, ME  If your dentist has used the term "impacted" in regards to your canines, you might not be sure what exactly that means. An impacted tooth is one that is "stuck" and unable to erupt through the gums in order to function as intended. This often happens with the third molars, otherwise known as the wisdom teeth. These teeth tend to get stuck in the back portion of the jaw, and if left untreated, they can develop a painful infection as well as a host of other problems. Since most of us don't need the wisdom teeth, they are often extracted if they start to develop a problem.Looking for a trusted dental team to help you achieve your best smile? At Coastal Maine Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, we’re dedicated to providing high-quality, personalized dental care for every patient. Impacted TeethThe upper eyetooth, otherwise known as the maxillary cuspid, is the second most likely tooth to be impacted. This tooth plays a critical role both your bite and the dental arch. The cuspid teeth serve as strong biting teeth, and they will have the longest roots of any of your teeth. They will be the first teeth that touch when you close your jaws together, and they will serve as a guide to ensure the rest of your teeth are in proper alignment. The cuspid teeth of the maxilla are usually the last of the front teeth to erupt and move into place. This typically happens around the time we turn 13 years old, and any space that was left between the front teeth on the top jaw will close together tightly. If a cuspid is impacted, your dentist will make every effort to get it to erupt into its proper position. These techniques can be used on any impacted tooth of either jaw, but mostly they are applied to the upper eyeteeth. About 60% of these impacted eyeteeth will be located on the roof of the mouth, and the remaining teeth are found in the supporting bone, but stuck in a position that leaves them elevated above the roots of the adjacent teeth. Successful Treatment of Impacted Teeth Requires Early RecognitionImpacted eyeteeth become more of a challenge as a patient gets older. Older patients will be more likely to experience an impacted tooth that doesn't erupt on its own, even if there is plenty of space available for it. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, it is recommended that a panoramic x-ray be taken after a thorough oral exam when patients are around seven years old. This will be done to count the teeth and to determine if there might be any problems with the adult teeth erupting as planned. It is also important to determine that all the adult teeth are present and that there are no issues with crowding or unusual growths that may prevent proper development. Exams of these adult teeth in children will usually be done by your dentist, and if problems are detected, you can be referred to an orthodontist. Treatment of problems involving teeth that are failing to erupt can involve placing braces on open spaces to encourage proper eruption. A referral may also be made to an oral surgeon for extraction of baby teeth that need to be removed or select adult teeth that could be preventing the impacted eyeteeth from erupting. Any growths or extra teeth that could be blocking the eruption of healthy adult teeth will also need to be removed. If treatment is taken so that an eruption path is created and the space can be opened up before the age of 12, there is an excellent chance that an impacted tooth will erupt on its own. However, if the eyetooth is allowed to continue developing up until 13–14 years of age, it likely will not erupt on its own even with the necessary space cleared. If a patient is much older, there is a higher chance that the eyetooth will be permanently fused into position, and the only way that tooth will budge will be to extract it. At that point, an alternate treatment like a dental implant can be used to replace the missing tooth and to improve the structure and appearance of the arch. What You Can Expect From Impacted Tooth Exposure SurgeryIf you will be having a surgery to expose an impacted tooth, you'll be happy to know that the procedure is fairly straightforward. For most patients, local anesthesia and laughing gas are enough to keep you comfortable during the procedure, but select cases may require IV sedation. Your surgeon will evaluate your situation to determine which option for sedation is right for you. The procedure typically takes about 75 minutes for one side, and if both sides require exposure it will take 105 minutes. If bracketing isn't required, the time needed will also be cut in half. When you go through your pre-op consultation with your surgeon, you'll learn exactly what will happen during your procedure and how long it should take. After your surgery, you can expect to experience some bleeding. You may feel pain or discomfort, but most patients find that over-the-counter pain medications like Advil or Tylenol are more than enough to manage this pain, although prescription painkillers might also be prescribed. Within a couple of days following your surgery, you shouldn't have any additional need for medication for pain relief. Swelling and bruising may also be experienced after surgery. Swelling can be minimized by applying an icepack to the lip or cheek immediately following the procedure. While bruising isn't as common, you shouldn't be surprised if you do notice some. You'll also need to make a few changes to your diet right after your procedure. A diet of soft, bland foods is initially recommended, but if you begin to feel better, you can go back to eating your normal diet. You should avoid sharp or jagged foods like chips or crackers, as they could irritate the surgical site, but most foods are fine after the first day or two. You'll also need to follow up with your surgeon from 7–10 days after your surgery. This appointment will be used to evaluate the healing process, and you'll need to follow up with your orthodontist so that the eruption process can be activated. As always, if you have additional questions or concerns about the treatment or your recovery, feel free to call our office. Schedule An Appointment TodayContact Coastal Maine Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at (207) 945-7840 today to schedule an appointment for treatment relating to impacted teeth! |
