When a tooth is impacted, that means it only partially erupts, which could cause a number of serious oral health problems unless addressed. To help correct this issue, our team could bracket them into place. In today’s blog, your Santa Rosa , CA, oral and maxillofacial surgeons talk about the bracketing process.
The Causes of Tooth Impaction
An impacted tooth is one that only partially erupts, a complication that could hinder orthodontic treatment, and also lead to dental misalignment, infection, and even damaged teeth. To safeguard the alignment and health of your smile, this needs to be addressed. You may be referred to us by your orthodontist or general dentistry, and we will work with them to ensure a seamless treatment process. You can also contact our team if you have a tooth that only partially erupted and needs treatment. We will carefully examine your smile with panoramic digital x-rays to identify the position of the tooth and to plan the bracketing process with precision and accuracy.
The Bracketing Process
The process involves connecting a bracket to the impacted tooth, and then another to an adjacent tooth that has properly erupted. We then connect these two brackets with a chain. During periodic visits, we will adjust the tension in the chain to begin shifting the tooth and pulling into proper alignment with the rest of the smile. This could be done as part of your orthodontic treatment as you have the rest of your smile properly repositioned with braces. The procedure helps improve the alignment of the smile and prevent further complications due to misalignment, which could range from tooth decay and gum disease to TMJ disorder and bruxism.
Tooth Extraction
What if the tooth cannot be bracketed into place, or what if the partial eruption is caused by a wisdom tooth? In these situations, we may need to remove them completely to correct your smile and improve overall alignment. We will first numb the tooth and offer sedation to ensure you feel relaxed and comfortable and have little to no memory of the procedure at all. We then use a pair of forceps to gently extract the tooth, and suture the area closed afterward. The process could take as little as 30 minutes. If you have any questions about how we extract a tooth and treat issues that require bracketing, then contact our team today to learn more. We want you to enjoy good oral health once again!
Do You Have a Tooth That Needs Attention?
We would like to help you enjoy an even and healthy smile once again. If you would like to learn more about restoring smiles with oral surgery, then contact your Santa Rosa, CA, oral surgeons by calling 707-545-4625.
