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Impacted Tooth Exposure in Reno and Sparks, Nevada

Impacted Canines

Treat Unerupted Canine Teeth

Canine teeth are located on either side of the upper four front teeth. They are crucial for a proper bite, as they help bite and tear food. Sometimes a canine tooth can become impacted and is unable to properly erupt into the dental arch. When this happens, surgical intervention is often necessary, as it is rare for an impacted tooth to naturally erupt on its own.

Dr. Galea and Dr. Hammon are board-certified oral surgeons with great expertise in diagnosing oral health conditions and designing successful treatment plans. Northern Nevada Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery has locations in Reno and Sparks, Nevada, and provides a variety of surgical procedures to benefit the lives and oral health of our patients.

Why Expose Impacted Teeth?

If a tooth becomes stuck beneath the gums, it will unlikely erupt on its own. The impacted tooth may develop at an angle, positioning its roots incorrectly and damaging the nearby roots of other teeth. Impacted teeth are difficult to clean around, which can lead to infection or the formation of cysts and tumors around the tooth. If the impacted canine were to eventually erupt, it can push other teeth out of alignment.

Wisdom teeth are unnecessary for oral health and are simply removed. However, canine teeth guide the front teeth into their proper positions and are crucial for developing a proper bite. Every effort is made to help the canine teeth erupt into the dental arch. If for any reason they cannot be guided into their proper position, we can extract the canine baby tooth and replace it with a fully functioning dental implant.

The Expose and Bond Procedure

Dr. Galea or Dr. Hammon will discuss the details of your treatment during your first visit. Our skilled team will take 3D scans of your mouth to assess the location of your impacted teeth. During visits to your general dentist, he or she will take X-rays of your mouth and refer you to an oral surgeon for treatment if it is discovered that you have an impacted canine or wisdom tooth. As an oral surgeon, Dr. Galea and Dr. Hammon can administer all forms of anesthesia. We will discuss your options and help you select the right form of anesthesia or sedation for your procedure.

Impacted canines are treated over a period of time by your oral surgeon and orthodontist. First, your oral surgeon will expose the impacted tooth that is stuck beneath the gums and attach a bracket and chain to it. Your orthodontist will attach the chain to your braces and slowly pull the tooth into its proper place. You will wear dentures before your oral surgery procedure to ensure there is enough space in the dental arch for the canine tooth to move into.

We provide instructions to guide you through every step of your surgical journey, and our staff is always here to answer questions.

Treatment for Impacted Canines in Reno and Sparks, NV

If you or your child have an impacted tooth, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with our oral surgeons, Dr. Galea and Dr. Hammon. They will evaluate your oral health and design a treatment plan that helps you achieve a healthy and fully functioning smile.

Our Team Is Here for You

Prepare for your first visit, learn about our services, and more.