At Milestone Oral Surgery & Implant Center (MOSAIC), we offer a specialized procedure that assists in the eruption of impacted teeth. While wisdom teeth (third molars) are frequently affected and require extraction, maxillary canines (upper cuspids or eyeteeth) are the second most commonly impacted teeth and are essential for dental function and aesthetics.
Impacted or displaced canines in the upper jaw primarily affect children and adolescents and usually occur on just one side. If upper canine teeth haven’t erupted by the time your teen is aged 13, it’s important to bring them in for a consultation in Mission Viejo, CA, with our caring board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Parshan Namiranian.
During the initial appointment, we’ll take digital X-rays and perform a thorough oral exam. If the impaction appears to be more complex, our cone-beam computed tomography scanner is used to generate additional data regarding the impacted tooth location and proximity to adjacent teeth. Early detection reduces the risk of additional gum abnormalities and prevents more complex treatment in Mission Viejo, CA.
Rest assured, our team strives to make exposing unerupted canine teeth as painless and comfortable as possible. In addition to a local anesthetic to numb your gums, Dr. Namiranian is certified in all types of soothing and safe sedation.
Once sedation has taken effect, the gum tissue is gently lifted over the impacted tooth to expose it, and then the gums are sutured closed. If a primary (baby tooth) is still present, it’s extracted to help encourage proper eruption of the permanent tooth in alignment with others.
It’s important to carefully follow all our postoperative instructions for an optimal recovery. Minimal pain can be managed with over-the-counter medication, while swelling can be minimized by repeatedly applying ice to the upper lip area and cheek on the side of the surgical exposure for the first 36 hours. You’ll return to our office 7 to 10 days after surgery, so we can evaluate the healing process and ensure your child is maintaining good oral hygiene.
Dr. Namiranian frequently receives referrals from general dentists for this and other surgical procedures, and also collaborates with orthodontists on surgical exposures. If your child or teen’s orthodontist requests it, Dr. Namiranian will bond an orthodontic bracket to the exposed tooth. The bracket has a tiny gold chain that is temporarily attached to an orthodontic arch wire, with only the chain being visible as it exits a small hole in the gums.
Within 14 days of surgery, your child will visit their orthodontist to have a rubber band attached to the chain. The light-pulling force exerted on the impacted tooth helps move it into the proper position.
It can take a full year to complete this carefully controlled and gradual process. After the tooth has moved into its final position, Dr. Namiranian will evaluate the gum tissue around the tooth to ensure it’s sufficiently strong and healthy to sustain a lifetime of daily function.
At our state-of-the-art surgical office, advanced imaging technology enables accurate assessment and precision treatment of impacted teeth. We take a collaborative approach, working closely with orthodontists and dental specialists to ensure coordinated, comprehensive care.
Customized surgical treatment in Mission Viejo, CA, is based on your child’s unique case, including tooth position, age, and overall dental health. Deep IV sedation administered safely by Dr. Namiranian is ideal for alleviating dental anxiety, allowing your child or teen to experience a comfortable and relaxing procedure.
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