Impacted adult teeth is a dental condition that occurs when a tooth fails to emerge properly through the gum line. Besides the wisdom teeth, the upper adult canines are the most commonly impacted tooth with a prevalence of 0.8% of a Chinese sample. The next most common adult tooth to be impacted is the second mandibular premolar, followed by the second mandibular molars.
Natural teeth are the best teeth to have in the mouth till the ripe old age of 100 years old! Therefore, at MyBracesClinic, we take time, effort, and deliberate considerations to save natural teeth and not condemn every impacted tooth to the bin.
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The failure of an adult tooth to emerge into the mouth can be due to many factors, such as:
Impacted teeth may silently develop with or without pain.
Early detection is very important as simple remedies may be deployed by our trained Orthodontic Team at MyBracesClinic to prevent more complex problems from snow-balling.
Impacted teeth are easier to correct and track in younger patients as the bone is softer and the roots of the impacted teeth are not as well developed.
Allowing the impacted tooth to remain untreated means it is given more time to deviate further from its correct position, thus reducing the success rate of orthodontic traction.
An experienced, trained Clinician is important to increase the chances of success.
The first step of tracking impacted teeth into position is to locate their position and orientation and assess the severity of the impaction. This is important to determine the success rate of tracking the impacted tooth into position. A 3D dental X-ray, called a dental CBCT, is often needed for greater accuracy in planning.
Our experienced Orthodontic Team uses the principles of orthodontic biomechanics to track impacted teeth in the mouth. This can be done with braces and wires, with or without TADs.
Sometimes, a multi-disciplinary approach may be needed. MyBracesClinic’s partnered Oral Surgeons will surgically expose the impacted tooth with or without inserting an orthodontic traction chain onto the affected tooth. This procedure is performed under local anesthesia, and a recovery period of 5-7 days is expected. For Singaporeans and PRs, this is a Medisave-applicable surgical procedure. Our Orthodontic team will then gently use orthodontic forces to guide the impacted tooth into position using the surgically inserted traction chain.
After considering all options, if an impacted tooth has poor chances of success for traction or uprighting, the decision will be made to remove the impacted tooth.
Orthodontic treatment can be done to balance the loss of the impacted tooth and close the space to eliminate the need for future dental implants or replacement teeth. This must be done after considering space needs lip and facial profiles.
Alternatively, replace the missing tooth with a dental implant in the future. In the meantime, a retainer with a fake tooth or a bonded bridge may hold the space until the patient is ready for dental implants.
Understanding and addressing impacted teeth requires a comprehensive approach involving early diagnosis, tailored treatment plans, and effective communication between patients and dental professionals. If you suspect you or your child may have impacted teeth or are experiencing related symptoms, consult MyBracesClinic to explore the best course of action. By taking proactive steps, you can navigate the journey of impacted teeth and ensure a healthy, functional smile for the future.
Your trusted partner for orthodontic excellence, crafting beautiful smiles with expertise, care, and the latest technology.
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