Exposure of Impacted Teeth

Guide impacted teeth into place and restore your natural, healthy bite.
Patient Registration
Call 972-430-9771

What is an impacted tooth?

An impacted tooth simply means it is stuck and cannot erupt into function. While wisdom teeth are most commonly impacted, the maxillary cuspid (upper eyetooth) is the second most common. The cuspid is a critical tooth with the longest roots that guides your bite and helps align all other teeth properly.

Normally, maxillary cuspids are the last front teeth to erupt around age 13 and close spaces between upper front teeth. When impacted, sixty percent are located on the palatal (roof of mouth) side, while others are stuck high above adjacent roots or on the facial side. Early recognition with panoramic X-ray is key — the older the patient, the less likely it will erupt naturally even with space.

In cases where the eyetooth will not erupt, the orthodontist and oral surgeon work together. The surgeon exposes and brackets the tooth so orthodontics can pull it down. The goal is to erupt the tooth, not extract it. Treatment may also require removal of over-retained baby teeth or supernumerary teeth blocking eruption.

Signs you may need treatment

Eyeteeth Missing After Age 13

Retained Baby Teeth

Crowding Or Extra Teeth Blocking

Gap In Front Teeth Not Closing

What to expect

1

Diagnose

We use panoramic X-rays to locate the impacted cuspid and check if adult teeth are present or blocked.

2

Treat

Straightforward office procedure with laughing gas and local anesthesia — expose and bracket the tooth for orthodontic guidance.

3

Restore

Tooth moves to final position for a natural bite. Minor gum surgery may be needed. If fused (especially over 40), implant or bridge may be needed.

Common questions

What happens if the eyetooth won't erupt even with space?
We surgically expose and bracket it, then your orthodontist pulls it into place with braces. Combined effort gives best results.
With laughing gas and local anesthesia, no pain. Time is cut in half if only exposure without bracketing is needed.
11-12 yrs: good chance with space. 13-14 yrs: will not erupt alone. Over 40: much higher chance of fusion, may need extraction + implant crown.
Once tooth is in final position, we evaluate gum around it. Some minor gum surgery may be required for healthy tissue.
Oral surgeon removes over-retained baby teeth, supernumerary teeth, or growths blocking the adult tooth before exposure.