Impacted teeth are one or more teeth that don’t fully break through the gum and develop into normal, adult teeth. An impacted tooth is one that doesn’t emerge or simply doesn’t grow correctly. Usually, impacted canines show up in children sometime between ages 10 and 14. Whether it’s an inherited condition, too many teeth or crowded teeth in a small mouth, adult canine teeth may remain up inside the gum. Impacted teeth aren’t that uncommon. Correcting impacted teeth in Houston, TX usually involves some oral surgery followed by orthodontic treatment.
Early detection of impacted teeth leads to the best outcome. Orthodontic braces are a common way to correct impacted canines. With proper placement, braces guide emerging adult canines. Usually, baby canine teeth fall out on their own. Once there’s room for your adult canines to emerge, they naturally push the baby teeth out. On rare occasions, baby canines require surgical intervention to remove them.
Usually, some oral surgery comes before orthodontic treatment. Our oral surgeon needs to create space for adult canine teeth. This might include removing extra teeth or increasing the space required for the essential canine teeth. Fully impacted canine teeth may require surgical exposure to emerge.
Once there’s space for the adult canine teeth, one or more orthodontic methods help them move to the right spots. Sometimes, wrapping wire around the canine nudges it away from the soft palate to develop in the correct spot. In other cases, braces alone can guide it into place.
Sometimes, adults have impacted eyeteeth because they had no access to dental care as children. Other times, it’s because no one noticed there was anything wrong. We want to emphasize no one is to blame for impacted teeth.
If your child has impacted teeth, you’ve already read about early intervention. If you have impacted teeth, you can’t care for them properly. Anyone with this condition might have these problems:
Frequent and thorough monitoring by one of our general dentists helps you avoid these problems. On very few occasions, impacted canines may not need further intervention. However, the majority of the time, they require additional treatment.
Ask your Lovett dental specialist about services, including oral surgery in Houston, TX.
Regardless of where you live in Texas, we have dentists to address your specific dental problems. You and your family will benefit from our dental services.
At Lovett Dental, we think you deserve a choice for any specialty care necessary. You can access any of the following specialty services:
If you need veneers and high-end cosmetic dental work, we offer cosmetic solutions using the latest technology. You’ll appreciate our general dentists as you get to know them throughout the year. Show your kids the importance of regular check-ups when you bring them to our children’s dentists. If you or a family member need implant-supported dentures, we’re here to help.
Avoid further problems for yourself or your child. We’ll help provide a healthy mouth with teeth anyone can be proud to display. Contact Lovett Dental today at 832.990.8754 for a complete evaluation and treatment for impacted teeth.