“Expose and bond”:Supporting successful orthodontic treatment, preventing complications of impacted teeth
Many are intimately familiar with the complications of wisdom teeth. As the last teeth to develop in the mouth, they often do not have enough space to grow in properly. They may become impacted or “stuck” in the gums/jawbone. The result is significant pain. This complication can have other consequences for your smile and health, including damage to neighboring teeth and supportive tissues. Since they are not “essential” teeth, these backmost molars are removed. However, tooth exposure treatment at Desert Ridge Periodontics & Implant Dentistry in Scottsdale, Arizona, may be recommended when other teeth become impacted. This process involves orthodontics and supports successful orthodontic treatment, too.
What causes other teeth to become impacted?
Any time that a tooth’s path to erupting or surfacing through the bone and gums is physically blocked, impaction can occur. This process most often results from a mismatch between the size of the teeth and the size of the jaws. When the jaws are too small to accommodate the teeth, they may become overcrowded and block the tooth from growing in correctly. It’s also important for your child to visit the dentist early and often, as they can monitor for problems that lead to impaction – such as retained baby teeth. When baby teeth don’t fall out “on schedule,” they may prevent the underlying secondary tooth from erupting correctly. Additionally, some inherited anatomical characteristics, genetic syndromes and mutations, and endocrine deficiencies are associated with an increased risk of impactions.
Are some teeth (besides wisdom teeth) more likely to become impacted?
Yes. Most commonly, impaction affects the upper canines (or “eye teeth”). Their pathway to healthy, correct eruption may be blocked by neighboring teeth, such as the loss of lateral incisors. Other factors that contribute to their vulnerability to impaction include:
Long and strong roots, which give them a firm hold on the jaw
Comparatively late eruption as the last front teeth to break through the gums, when the arch already lacks space
Their deep and unique development pattern in the upper jaw
How does tooth exposure help?
The process of exposure largely involves uncovering (exposing) the crown of the unerupted tooth. We then expertly attach or bond a special orthodontic bracket to the now-exposed tooth/crown. The bracket is uniquely designed with a pre-attached chain, which allows us to connect it to “standard” orthodontic wires/orthodontia. Using the chain, the impacted tooth can then be guided into its proper placement. Orthodontists use hardware that is activated to gradually reposition the exposed tooth (or teeth). This process protects against the numerous complications associated with impactions and also allows for successful orthodontic treatment. The teeth are no longer blocked from moving into their correct positions. Due to the key steps mentioned above, this procedure is sometimes referred to as “expose and bond.”
Why should I seek prompt treatment at Desert Ridge Periodontics & Implant Dentistry?
It’s important for our team in Scottsdale to promptly evaluate and move forward with treatment to help the unerupted tooth along when it is unlikely to break through on its own. We recommend prompt treatment to protect the tooth from damaging the roots of adjacent teeth. Without this treatment, cysts may also form around the teeth (which present their own unique set of challenges). Even when the tooth finally erupts, it may not grow in properly and can still push other teeth out of position. Serving Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Glendale, Peoria, Mesa, AZ, and beyond, our office looks forward to hearing from you soon. Call us at (602) 932-6297 today.
At Desert Ridge Periodontics, patients benefit from the expertise of Dr. Dan Indech, DDS, a board-certified periodontist with more than 30 years of experience in periodontal care, dental implants, and laser surgery. Trained at leading institutions in Canada, the U.S., and Sweden, he has placed over 10,000 implants and is nationally recognized for his work in Implantology and LANAP® laser periodontal therapy.
Dr. Indech and the team deliver compassionate, evidence-based periodontal and implant care focused on long-term oral health and personalized treatment.
