Tooth Exposure and Uncovery
Rockwall & Paris, Texas
Tooth exposure and uncovery is performed when a permanent tooth does not naturally erupt. The most common type of teeth to become impacted are wisdom teeth, however it is also common for children to have one or more permanent teeth that do not naturally erupt. Impacted wisdom teeth can be removed with a surgical procedure, however the remaining molars and other prominent teeth in the front of the mouth will require more care. Impacted canine teeth can result in the need for surgical treatment to ensure the tooth moves down to its proper position and is aligned with the rest of your teeth.
When a canine does not erupt and stays buried under your gums, it may be necessary to use orthodontic support and treatment to properly position the tooth in the dental arch. To assist the orthodontist, we will expose the buried canine tooth and attach an orthodontic bracket to the canine tooth, which will allow the orthodontist to access the tooth and guide it into the proper position. It is important to address this issue as early as possible to ensure the harmony of your smile is not disrupted and to avoid damage to the other teeth in the area.
To learn more about tooth exposure and uncovery or other services offered at our office, please refer to the following. To schedule an appointment for tooth exposure and uncovery, contact our Rockwall office today at (972) 771-8640 or our Paris office at (903) 785-4832.
Tooth Exposure & Uncovery
Evaluation & Procedure
Prior to performing the tooth exposure/uncovery procedure, it will be necessary to schedule an initial evaluation, during which we will take diagnostic images to determine whether your tooth is impacted close to the lip or toward the palate. We will often take a dental CT (cone beam CT) scan of the tooth to help in determining the tooth’s exact location. Once we have completed this initial evaluation, we will answer any questions you have and schedule an appointment for the tooth exposure/uncovery procedure.
Before performing the tooth exposure/uncovery procedure, we will first administer a local anesthetic to ensure you experience minimal discomfort along with dental sedation, if necessary. Once you are sufficiently numbed and comfortable, the tooth exposure/uncovery procedure will begin by uncovering the tooth by removing surrounding gum and bone. A dressing may be placed over the tooth or an orthodontic bracket and gold chain will be bonded onto the tooth, which can be used by the orthodontist to facilitate proper eruption. Once this part of the procedure is completed, a follow up appointment will be scheduled to monitor the healing and ensure the tooth is brought into the optimal position in the dental arch.
Tooth Exposure & Uncovery
Benefits of Procedure
The cosmetic benefit of having the tooth exposure/uncover procedure is that you will maintain the fullness of your smile, filling the empty space left by the impacting tooth. You will also avoid premature aging of your face, which can occur due to lips that appear to be thin and sunken in. In addition to avoiding this issue, the functional benefit of having this procedure performed is that it will ensure that a normal tooth to tooth relationship is in place and that there is a natural distribution of bite pressures while chewing. This will not be the case following the loss of the long-rooted canine teeth which can then cause other teeth to become damaged and/or overloaded.
Tooth Exposure & Uncovery
Aftercare Instructions
Prior to your tooth exposure and uncovery procedure, you may need to arrange for a ride to and from the office if dental (oral and IV) sedation is administered. Following your tooth uncovering procedure, it is normal to experience some pain and swelling. Over the counter pain relieving medication like Ibuprofen, and application of ice to the swollen or tender area for fifteen to twenty minute intervals is usually sufficient in managing pain and swelling. If pain medication or antibiotics are prescribed following your tooth extraction, take as prescribed until your prescription is done. During the initial healing period, it is also important to avoid spitting, using straws, and/or smoking. It is also recommended that you only eat soft foods for the first few days following your procedure and slowly begin reintroducing harder foods until you no longer feel discomfort.
Tooth Exposure & Uncovery
Costs associated
The cost of tooth exposure uncovery will largely depend on whether any additional procedures are being performed, what type of dental sedation is used, and your dental insurance plan. It is also important to factor in the cost of the initial visit and any follow up appointments that may be necessary.
For patients who are covered under a dental insurance plan, although we are not in-network, we will gladly help prepare and file your claim to ensure you receive your maximum reimbursement. Payment is due in full on the day of treatment. We accept cash, check, Visa, Discover, Mastercard, and American Express. If you are concerned about the cost of receiving treatment, please know that we offer our patients Compassionate Finance, which offers a variety of payment solutions with fixed interest rates and manageable monthly payments and CareCredit®, which offers 24-month payment plans with zero interest, as well as low-interest financing for 24-60 months.
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