Long Island Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery performs impacted canines & extractions in Mineola & Port Washington, NY. Contact us to learn more and schedule an appointment.
Impacted Teeth
An impacted tooth is blocked from erupting and may need to be exposed to facilitate the completion of the orthodontic treatment. Impacted cuspid (or canine) teeth are the second most commonly impacted teeth (after third molars or wisdom teeth). Impacted canines might:
- Come in at an angle, pushing against teeth and causing cavities.
- Fail to erupt fully, remaining either partially or fully below the gum line.
- Cause bacteria to become trapped beneath the gum, leading to infection and gum disease.
- Causes the development of cysts and tumors in the jawbone.
Using a combination of orthodontics and a surgical approach, our team can treat impacted canines (or other teeth). First, orthodontic treatment can create a space for the tooth to erupt or come into the arch. Then an oral surgeon can remove any necessary primary (baby) teeth that may be in the way and place a small device (often referred to as a button or a bracket) on the impacted tooth. Your orthodontist can then use the device to bring the tooth into the arch through traction.
Extractions
Sometimes a tooth cannot be restored and must be removed. When a tooth is broken or has significant decay, the ideal solution is to restore it using a filling, crown, or other procedure. If restoration is not possible or advisable due to the tooth’s condition, we may recommend extraction to prevent infection and achieve or maintain oral health.
Most extractions are performed with the use of local anesthesia to numb the area around the tooth. The tooth is then gently loosened and removed. Immediately after the tooth’s removal, gauze pads are placed for the patient to bite down on the tooth socket to apply pressure and stop bleeding. Stitches are sometimes needed and may dissolve or require removal at a follow-up appointment.