Impacted teeth

Exposure of impacted teeth

Teeth that do not or do not fully erupt into the oral cavity are referred to as impacted teeth (usually wisdom teeth or canines). If these are in a sensible position, it is possible, for example, to integrate an impacted upper canine into the row of teeth. This can be brought into the usual position by means of fixed or invisible braces by exposing and clipping on. 

What is meant by impacted teeth?

An impacted tooth is a tooth that has not erupted into its normal position in the dental arch because it remains trapped in the jawbone or because it has been disturbed in its development. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including lack of space, unusual tooth angles or the presence of supernumerary teeth blocking eruption. Wisdom teeth are also often affected. Read more about the removal of impacted wisdom teeth here. 

Possible problems and treatments for impacted teeth

• Misaligned teeth and jaw problems: Retained teeth can lead to misalignment of the teeth and jaw problems such as temporomandibular joint disorders.
• Cyst formation: Cysts can form around impacted teeth, which can damage the surrounding tissue.
• Treatment options: Treatment can include surgical removal of the tooth, or just lining it up with orthodontic measures to move the tooth into the correct position.

Exposure and snagging of impacted teeth

The principle of this treatment is to create a gap in the dental arch to provide sufficient space for the missing tooth. The displaced tooth is fixed as described below and brought into the desired position over several months using an elastic band.

The procedure to expose the tooth is usually a short one under local anaesthetic. The crown of the tooth is exposed. A small metal plate is then bonded to it using plastic and attached to the braces using a delicate chain. 
After 10 days, the stitches are removed and the patient is then sent to the referring orthodontist for further treatment. In our joint practice in 1060 Vienna, we can offer you the entire treatment by oral surgeon Dr Dr Felix Wick and orthodontist Dr Carina Wick under one roof. 

This procedure is usually carried out in adolescence. This is because the teeth are not yet firmly anchored in the bone. It is also possible later, but the chances of success are lower. The firmer the tooth is in the bone, the less it can be moved. 

In the event that a tooth is desired in place of the impacted tooth at a later date, it can often only be removed and replaced with a dental implant. 

Removal of dystoperic teeth 
This is the term used to describe all teeth that grow in an unusual position in the jaw. These can also be removed. However, if the risk of removal is too high due to possible dangers from