Our oral surgeons coordinate with your child’s orthodontist to expose teeth that have not yet erupted, so patients can proceed with their orthodontic treatment. Impacted teeth that fail to fully pass through the gums can create spaces or prevent permanent teeth from erupting. Once the tooth has been surgically exposed, we will place an orthodontic bracket to help shift the tooth into the arch, improving the efficacy and efficiency of orthodontic treatment.
We offer tooth exposure and other orthodontic procedures. Call our Lubbock, TX, or Hobbs, NM, location to learn more.
Lubbock Office: 806-722-3637
Hobbs Office: 575-408-8840
An impacted tooth may need to be exposed to
facilitate the completion of the orthodontic treatment
Impacted teeth might:
- Come in at an angle, pushing against teeth and causing cavities.
- Fail to erupt fully, remaining either partially or fully below the gum line.
- Cause bacteria to become trapped beneath the gum, leading to infection and gum disease.
- Cause the development of cysts and tumors in the jawbone.
Using a combination of orthodontic and surgical approaches, our team can treat impacted teeth. First, orthodontic treatment can create a space for the tooth to erupt or move down into the arch. Then your oral surgeon can expose the impacted tooth and place a small device (often referred to as a button or bracket) on the exposed tooth. Your orthodontist can then use the device and orthodontic appliances to create traction that helps move the tooth into the arch,