An impacted tooth is essentially one that fails to erupt and grow in its proper place on the curved composite structure of natural dentition, otherwise known as the arch. Impacted teeth do not emerge from the bone and gums properly; they get stuck between the gums and bone. Often, there is not enough space for the tooth to erupt, so it remains stuck without a place on the arch big enough to emerge and grow naturally.
In some instances, patients have impacted teeth but experience no pain or discomfort from them. Our experience at the Good Samaritan Dental Implant Institute is that most impacted teeth cause problems that require moderate to extensive dental care. Dr. Andrew Slavin is a maxillofacial oral surgeon with over 25 years of experience offering expert treatment for impacted teeth and personalized implant care.
The Problem With an Impacted Tooth
Impacted teeth can cause severe pain as well as serious health problems. As teeth that are stuck in the gum, they can cause irritation and inflammation. The sites of impacted teeth get infections that can be persistent and affect other systems in the body such as the immune system as well as overall health. Food buildup, chewing, and biting can all cause the condition of the impacted teeth to worsen.
Wisdom Teeth
The last teeth on the arch, or third molars, are often called the wisdom teeth. They are the final adult teeth to emerge. Wisdom teeth are frequently impacted and do not emerge straight or to full exposure.
Canine Teeth
The canine teeth are important to the human bite and the alignment of the rest of the teeth. They are usually the longest teeth with the longest root. In a normal alignment, the canines are the first teeth to touch when closing the mouth. The other teeth get their alignment from the canines.
Realignment and Braces
When patients are young, and the teeth and bones are supple and able to accept repositioning, many dentists will recommend attempts to realign impacted teeth. The goal is to make space for them to emerge naturally. After a certain age, bones and teeth become more rigid until, usually in their early 40s, most patients cannot get good results from the realignment of impacted teeth.
Extraction and Replacement
We must often extract damaged teeth and impacted teeth. We make every attempt to maintain an individual’s natural teeth, but it is not always in the patient’s best interest to do so. Our goal is to create a great appearance, support dental health, and promote wellness and prevention of dental disease. Dental implants can be ideal replacements, and they work particularly well for molars and canine teeth.
Implant Technology
When tooth loss or damage requires replacement, dental implants provide an excellent solution. When applied by an expert oral surgeon, dental implants function and look like a beautiful, natural set of teeth. Whether you need to fill in a few spaces or replace an entire arch, the offices of Dr. Andrew Slavin can make your smile appear perfectly natural.
Healthy teeth and gums are keys to good health and a youthful, vibrant appearance. We specialize in implant technology, and we offer the latest advancements and techniques to provide personalized implant care in South Florida. The Straumann Dental Implants that Dr. Slavin uses are truly the finest in the world, as they are comprised of a proprietary titanium zirconium alloy whose quality and strength (50% stronger than pure titanium), have been attested to by multiple peer-reviewed scientific journals.
We have over 25 years of successful experience serving the Greater Palm Beach, Florida area, including West Palm Beach, Palm Beach, Jupiter, Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale. Call us today and we will be happy to assess your needs and make recommendations for your best smile and dental health.