Assisted Eruption of Impacted Teeth

When a tooth is impacted, it means that it has not erupted into the dental arch and is partially or fully stuck beneath the gums. Impacted teeth can cause many oral health problems, but this condition can be treated through oral surgery and orthodontics. 

If you or your child have an impacted tooth, Dr. Greg Nalchajian and Dr. Nicole Nalchajian can use orthodontic appliances to help the tooth successfully align with the other teeth. Contact Nalchajian Orthodontics today for a consultation and to learn more about assisted eruption of impacted teeth in Fresno and Clovis, CA. 

How Does a Tooth Become Impacted? 

Wisdom teeth and canine teeth are the most common teeth that become impacted, although incisors, premolars, and molars are all susceptible. Because wisdom teeth are not necessary for oral function, these molars are simply extracted. Canine teeth, however, are important to your oral function. These teeth guide the other front teeth into alignment and are responsible for biting and tearing food. If a canine tooth is impacted, we make every effort to save it and help it successfully erupt.

Sometimes, the cause of an impacted tooth remains unknown. A tooth can become impacted for several reasons, such as:

• Overcrowding or the presence of additional of teeth
• Genetics
• Baby teeth do not fall out in time
• Pathological growths or cysts blocking a tooth’s path

Children, teenagers, and adults can undergo treatment for an impacted tooth. Routine dental visits are important because your general dentist will detect an impacted tooth through an X-ray and refer you to a specialist for treatment. When you visit Nalchajian Orthodontics, we will take 3D scans of your mouth and face to evaluate the location of the impacted tooth and create a detailed treatment plan unique to your needs.

Why Treat an Impacted Tooth? 

By treating impacted teeth early, we can ensure the tooth functions properly and benefit the development of other teeth. Treating an impacted tooth also benefits your smile’s appearance and will help you feel more confident with straight, aligned teeth. Leaving an impacted tooth untreated can lead to numerous oral health problems, including:

• Jaw pain
• Shifting or crowding of teeth
• Difficulty biting or chewing
• Damage to nearby teeth
• Gum inflammation
• Periodontal disease
• Tooth decay or tooth loss
• Tenderness or pain

Some impacted teeth naturally erupt into the dental arch on their own, but this is rare. Some level of oral surgery and/or orthodontics are often necessary to help the tooth emerge and ensure it properly aligns and functions. 

Treating Impacted Teeth

Dr. Greg and Dr. Nicole will design a custom treatment plan to guide your or your child’s impacted tooth into the dental arch. If a baby tooth is blocking a permanent tooth, a simple tooth extraction may resolve the issue. Many impacted teeth are treated through assisted eruption, which is a joint effort between your orthodontist and your oral surgeon.

The first step in helping an impacted tooth erupt is to wear braces. Braces will prepare the mouth and make room for the impacted tooth to move into its position. Next, a surgical procedure, performed by an oral surgeon or periodontist, will expose the trapped tooth by carefully moving the overlying gum or bone tissue. A small orthodontic bracket and chain will be bonded to the exposed tooth. Your orthodontist will use the chain to pull the tooth into the dental arch and guide it into place.

The length of treatment depends on other orthodontic issues you are looking to correct. Once a bracket is bonded to the impacted tooth, it generally takes several months to pull the tooth into the dental arch. 

Assisted Eruption of Impacted Teeth in Fresno and Clovis, CA

Treating impacted teeth will benefit your oral and overall health by allowing all of the teeth to have proper space in the dental arch. If you or your child have an impacted tooth or would like an evaluation from a skilled orthodontist, we encourage you to contact Nalchajian Orthodontics in Fresno or Clovis, CA. Dr. Greg and Dr. Nicole have treated impacted teeth for patients of all ages, and we look forward to helping you achieve a healthy and beautifully aligned smile.