Canine teeth are important to your bite and your smile. The sharp, pointed teeth on either side of your front teeth tear food and help you speak clearly. For most people, canine teeth, also known as cuspids or eyeteeth, come in normally during the pre-teen years. However, some people’s canines get stuck and don’t erupt on their own.
Fortunately, modern dentistry and orthodontics devised a method to pull the canines into place. This process, known as exposure and bonding, can help children with impacted canines. Read on to learn more about the process and how it can help.
Is Exposure and Bonding Treatment the Only Option?
The entire process starts with braces to correct spacing issues. Sometimes, moving the teeth to create space allows the canine to erupt. In these cases, your child would simply complete the orthodontic treatment. However, if the tooth still doesn’t erupt, further intervention would be necessary.
How Does the Expose and Bond Procedure Work?
The expose and bond process takes teamwork between your child’s dentist, an oral surgeon, and an orthodontist. Once your child’s mouth has space for the canine to come in and the tooth still fails to erupt, an oral surgeon performs a minor surgery.
This surgery involves cutting through the gum to expose the tooth and apply a special orthodontic exposure bracket to the impacted tooth. This bracket looks similar to the other braces brackets, but it accommodates a small gold chain. The impacted tooth gold chain also connects to the braces wire.
The gold chain attached to the bracket and braces guides the impacted tooth into the open space. Rubber bands may also assist in encouraging the eruption.
Have more questions about the procedure? Schedule an appointment today to speak to one of our talented providers.
Exposure and Bonding Before and After
How Long is the Tooth Exposure Recovery Process?
It’s important to note that while impacted tooth exposure surgery is minor, it does require careful attention to the post-operative care. Monitor the area for unusual swelling or signs of infection, but it should heal rather quickly, usually within ten to fourteen days. Your child will likely need to follow-up with their dentist or orthodontist in ten days to check the progress.
Does Impacted Tooth Exposure Surgery Hurt?
The oral surgeon uses local anesthesia but may also use sedation depending on the situation. As the local anesthesia wears off, there could be discomfort, but it could be managed with over the counter pain medication. Your child may also experience some bruising and swelling in the area for a few days after surgery.
How Long Does it Take to Pull a Tooth Down with a Teeth Chain and Braces?
It varies by case, but you can expect the process to take several months. Though it may come in faster, the general timeline is six to twelve months.
How Do I Know if My Child Has Impacted Canines?
When baby teeth interfere with canine eruption or in cases of overcrowding, kids’ teeth may lose their normal pathway and get stuck. Looking at your child’s mouth, you may be able to see signs of crowding or teeth breaking through, but you probably won’t notice what’s going on beneath the gums.
That’s why it’s important for your child to see a dentist regularly as they lose baby teeth and gain adult teeth. Your child’s dentist can monitor progress and may make suggestions about treatment, like exposure and bonding of the tooth.
If your child is due for a dental check-up or you have concerns about their teeth, find the office nearest you and book your appointment today.
