Surgical expsoures are commonly performed on the maxillary cuspids. These are the upper eye teeth or "canine" teeth. The cuspid tooth is a critical tooth in the dental arch and plays an important role in your occlusion, or bite. In cases where the cuspid tooth does not erupt spontaneously, your orthodontist and Dr. Jim Culver will work together to promote its eruption.

An Orthodontist will place a full set of braces on the maxillary teeth and create space to accommodate the impacted tooth at its proper position in the dental arch. When adequate space has been created, the Orthodontist will refer then refer the patient to Dr. Jim Culver to have the impacted cuspid tooth surgically exposed and bracketed.

Over half of the impacted cuspid teeth are located on the palatal side, or roof of the mouth. Others are positioned in the middle of the ridge often "stuck" above the roots of the adjacent teeth or out to the facial side of the dental arch.

The Surgery:

There is an incision in the gum tissue above the impacted tooth and some tissue is the removed. This is to "expose" the tooth that is impacted. 

If the Orthodonist requests a bracke and chain to be placed the orthodontic bracket is bonded to the exposed tooth. The bracket is attached to a miniature gold chain which will be temporarily secured to the orthodontic arch wire. Often the exposed impacted tooth is left completely uncovered. 

Occasionally, the gum is returned to its original position above the impacted tooth with only the fine gold chain remaining visible as it exits a small hole in the gum.

The surgery can be performed with any of our anesthesia options. At the consultation, Dr. Culver will determine the best anesthesia option best suited for your individual need.

There will be a post-operative appointment made to ensure proper healing 7 days after the surgery appointment.

The patient will return to the Orthodontist approximately 10 to 14 days after surgery (this varies depending on your Orthodontist). The Orthodontist will use the chain to apply a light eruptive force on the impacted tooth. This will begin the process of moving the tooth into its proper place in the dental arch. Orthodontic eruption of an impacted tooth is a carefully controlled process that may take a few months to a full year to complete.