Impacted Canines

Common Reasons for Impaction

Dental crowding is the most common reason for impaction: when there are too many teeth in one area of the mouth, a new tooth is unable to erupt into its proper position. Sometimes, a growth or tumor may be blocking a new tooth’s path.

An impacted tooth is easily diagnosable with an X-ray or 3D imaging. It is usually discovered at a dental visit, and your dentist can refer you to an oral surgeon for further treatment. Therefore, it is very important to see your dentist every 6 months for regular checkups.

Impaction may or may not have noticeable symptoms, but signs include:

• Red or swollen gums
• Tenderness around the tooth site
• Bad breath
• Jaw pain

Exposure and Bonding

Exposure and bonding is a treatment that involves skilled coordination between an oral surgeon and an orthodontist. First, an orthodontist will create a space for the impacted tooth to come in by preparing the mouth with braces. Once the space is ready, an oral surgeon will expose the tooth and bond an orthodontic bracket to it. The orthodontic bracket will have a small chain attached that the orthodontist will use to guide the tooth into place as it grows in.

Patients are kept comfortable during the surgical procedure with anesthesia. The type of anesthesia used, as well as specific details of the procedure, will be discussed during the consultation appointment. Oral surgeons receive specialized training to safely administer anesthesia.

Comfort and Recovery After Your Treatment 

You may experience some bleeding, swelling, discomfort, and soreness following surgery. While your surgeon will provide you with a more definitive list of postoperative instructions, you will likely need to: 

• Keep gauze on the treated site until it stops bleeding
• Avoid vigorous mouth washing
• Avoid touching the treated site
• Take your prescribed pain medication to alleviate any discomfort
• Use ice packs to reduce swelling 
• Avoid using a straw
• Keep the mouth clean

Additionally, our team will provide instructions on what you should eat and drink. Generally, for two to three days after your procedure, it is best to eat softer foods and avoid very hot, crunchy, or hard food, as well as any food that may get stuck in the surgical site. 

Your surgeon’s list of postoperative instructions is crucial for preventing unnecessary complications, so we urge you to follow them carefully. If you have any further questions, consult with your doctor.