What Your Orthodontist Can Do to Correct Impacted Teeth

Impacted teeth are a common dental issue many people experience, often without realizing it. This condition occurs when a tooth fails to erupt through the gum line properly due to blockage, crowding, or other issues. While this can happen to any tooth, it is often associated with wisdom or canine teeth. If left untreated, impacted teeth can lead to discomfort, infections, and alignment issues. Fortunately, an experienced orthodontist or dentist Sacramento is well-equipped to diagnose and treat impacted teeth using various methods.

Here are ways your orthodontist can correct impacted teeth and restore health.What Causes Impacted Teeth?

Before discussing how your orthodontist can correct impacted teeth, it’s important to understand what causes this condition. Impacted teeth occur when there isn’t enough space in the jaw for a tooth to erupt properly. This can happen due to overcrowding, an abnormal tooth eruption pattern, or if other teeth, cysts, or tumors block a tooth. While impacted wisdom teeth are the most commonly seen, canine teeth are also frequently impacted, especially in adolescents.

Impact can lead to a range of problems, such as pain, swelling, infection, and shifting of surrounding teeth. It’s essential to seek treatment as soon as possible to avoid complications and ensure long-term oral health.

Diagnosis of Impacted Teeth

The first step in correcting impacted teeth is diagnosing the issue. When you visit an orthodontist, they will examine your teeth and may take X-rays to get a better understanding of the situation. X-rays are particularly helpful in assessing the position of the impacted tooth and how it’s affecting neighboring teeth. Based on these evaluations, your orthodontist can develop a personalized treatment plan to address the problem.

Treatment Options for Impacted Teeth

Once the orthodontist has assessed the impact, several treatment options can be used, depending on the severity and location of the impacted tooth.

1. Monitoring the Impacted Tooth

In some cases, especially for younger patients, orthodontists may choose to monitor an impacted tooth rather than immediately pursuing more aggressive treatments. This approach allows time for the tooth to emerge naturally or to see if the alignment issues resolve with time. Regular follow-up appointments will be scheduled to track the tooth’s progress.

2. Braces and Orthodontic Appliances

In cases where the tooth has not fully erupted, braces or other orthodontic appliances may help guide the tooth into its proper position. Braces gradually apply pressure to the teeth, shifting them into a more favorable alignment. If the impacted tooth is in a challenging spot, your orthodontist might use special techniques like placing a bracket or chain on the tooth and attaching it to your braces. This helps to move the tooth into its correct place over time gently.

3. Surgical Exposure and Braces

Sometimes, the impacted tooth may be too deep or blocked by other teeth to move independently. In such instances, surgical exposure may be required. The orthodontist or oral surgeon will expose the tooth by making a small incision in the gum tissue during this procedure. Once exposed, a bracket and chain are placed to pull the tooth into the correct position. This method is particularly effective for canine teeth, which are often impacted.

4. Tooth Extraction

If the impacted tooth is causing significant issues and cannot be properly moved, the orthodontist may recommend extracting the tooth. For example, if the impacted tooth is severely misaligned or is damaging surrounding teeth, removal may be necessary to prevent further complications. The space left by the extraction can be filled using braces or other orthodontic treatments.

5. Surgical Removal of Blockages

In rare cases, a cyst or tumor may block an impacted tooth. Surgery may be necessary in these situations to remove the blockage and allow the tooth to emerge properly. Orthodontics Sacramento typically follows this procedure to correct any remaining misalignment.

Conclusion

If you’re dealing with impacted teeth, you must visit an orthodontist for an evaluation. With the right treatment, orthodontists can help guide your impacted teeth into the correct position, alleviate pain, and improve your overall dental health. Whether it’s using braces, exposing the tooth surgically, or, in more severe cases, extracting the tooth, your orthodontist will develop a personalized plan to address your specific needs and help you achieve a healthier, more aligned smile.

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