Oral Surgery Procedures for Impacted Teeth

Impacted teeth can cause concerns and impede the ability of other teeth to properly develop. Issues such as overcrowding, missing teeth and the inability of other adult teeth to grow through can result when impacted teeth are not treated. Many general dentists recommend oral surgery to treat impacted teeth. 

How oral surgery for impacted teeth works

Oral surgery for impacted teeth can ensure that the tooth does not cause concerns to other teeth or oral health in general. The following is a complete review of how a dentist can treat impacted teeth through oral surgery procedures and what patients can expect through the treatment process. 

Reviewing oral surgery for impacted teeth

The purpose of oral surgery for impacted teeth is to ensure that the unerupted tooth does not cause issues with surrounding teeth or lead to a cosmetic concern. There are two main ways that a dentist can treat impacted teeth through oral surgery. 

The first and perhaps more common method is tooth extraction. The other method is surgical extraction. This method of oral surgery for impacted teeth involves removing the gum tissue and bone that covers the tooth. The dentist may then recommend a dental appliance that helps the tooth erupt or other forms of treatment to ensure that it does not cause a cosmetic, functional or oral health concern. 

Different types of impacted teeth

An impacted tooth can happen to any tooth. However, there are certain teeth that more commonly become impacted. Wisdom teeth, also called third molars, are perhaps the most common. This is because they are the last teeth to erupt and often do not have enough room break through the gums, or they grow in sideways. Impacted canines are also relatively common, especially if overcrowding occurs in the front of the mouth. While uncommon, premolars and molas may also become impacted in certain situations. 

When to consider extraction for impacted teeth

Dentists may first try and get an unerupted tooth to come through, but if they are unable to, then the next best treatment method is extraction through oral surgery. Some impacted teeth may not cause a concern, but many do. Any time that an impacted tooth (or multiple impacted teeth) cause a cosmetic, oral health or functional concern, then it is important to visit the dentist to find out about all available treatment options. 

What to expect during treatment

The treatment process depends on the type of oral surgery for the impacted tooth and the location of the tooth. For example, wisdom teeth (third molars) require a different removal process than canines. The age of the patient and whether the teeth are primary or permanent may play a role in the removal process as well. 

Learn more about oral surgery today

Our dental team takes pride in helping patients feel confident throughout the treatment process. If you would like to learn more about oral surgery procedures for impacted teeth, then give us a call today and arrange a time to come in and see us for a consultation visit.

Request an appointment here: https://dragonflydentalportcharlotte.com or call Dragonfly Dental of Port Charlotte at (941) 676-9225 for an appointment in our Port Charlotte office.

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