Impacted Tooth Exposure

Canine teeth are located on either side of the four front teeth. They are named after their resemblance to the long fangs of a dog. These teeth are responsible for biting into food, allowing you to eat and chew properly. They keep the front teeth in proper alignment and help maintain a healthy bite.

Dr. Harris, Dr. Park, Dr. Brown, Dr. Wood, and Dr. Holladay at Utah Surgical Arts work closely with your orthodontist to formulate a plan and save your impacted canines. Our office offers many anesthesia and sedation options so that you remain comfortable during any surgical procedure. If you or your child are experiencing an impacted canine tooth, contact our office in Provo, Payson, South Jordan, or Lehi, UT, today to schedule your consultation.

What Is an Impacted Tooth?

Sometimes a tooth or multiple teeth can fail to erupt properly, becoming trapped behind the gums. When this occurs, the tooth is considered to be impacted. Structures that are blocking the natural growth track, overcrowding of the teeth, and other oral health conditions can all lead to teeth becoming impacted. While it is often possible for an orthodontist to clear the way for teeth to grow in, some cases require the assistance of an oral surgeon to expose an impacted tooth.

When non-essential teeth (such as wisdom teeth) become impacted, most oral surgeons recommend extraction. These third molars are not essential for proper oral health because you already have molars to chew food. When more essential teeth cannot erupt normally, such canine teeth, a new treatment plan must be formed to save the natural teeth.

Symptoms of an Impacted Tooth

An impacted tooth may not cause pain, but a lack of pain does not mean there isn’t a problem. Your general dentist takes X-rays during checkup visits and if an impacted tooth is discovered, he or she will refer you to an oral surgeon for 3D scans and an evaluation. The most common symptoms caused by an impacted tooth include:

• Red or swollen gums
• Gums that are tender or easily bleed
• Jaw pain or swelling
• Bad breath or an unpleasant taste, indicating infection

Contact Utah Surgical Arts in Provo, Payson, South Jordan, or Lehi today if you are experiencing any of these symptoms. You may have an impacted tooth that needs to be evaluated and treated before further damage can occur.

Exposure and Bonding Treatment

For this treatment, your oral surgeon will work closely with your orthodontist to expose the impacted canine tooth. First, the orthodontist will likely use braces to align the teeth and make space for the impacted tooth. Once there is adequate space, your oral surgeon will surgically expose the tooth by lifting the gum and removing any abnormal growths or structures blocking the growth path.

Then, the oral surgeon will attach a small bracket and chain or band to the newly exposed tooth. This procedure is often performed using multiple types of anesthesia. After a brief healing period, you will return to the orthodontist, who will use the bracket and chain to lightly pull the tooth into its proper place. Once all the teeth are aligned, the braces will be removed.

Treating impacted teeth as early as possible is crucial. If impacted teeth go untreated for too long, they can become permanently trapped behind the gums, making it impossible to save the natural teeth. In such cases, our oral surgeons offer tooth extractions as well as a variety of different tooth replacement options, such as dental implants, to restore your smile.

AAAHC Accreditation

Utah Surgical Arts is approved by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). This accreditation is difficult to obtain and allows our office to function as a hospital and/or surgical center. Since extensive surgeries must be performed in a surgical center, there are many instances where the patient may be unable to undergo surgery due to the high cost of the hospital or surgical center. If your surgery can be performed at Utah Surgical Arts, the cost savings may be significant. Many patients who were unable to have the procedure due to the high cost involved were able to have the procedure performed at Utah Surgical Arts. Learn More.