IMPACTED AND MISSING TEETH

ENCLOSED TEETH

The inclusion of a tooth can be caused by the improper position of the growing dental pulp within the bone.
This can result in an inability to dissect (display) the tooth in the mouth.
Inclusion of a tooth can also result from the premature loss of baby teeth or crowding of teeth or due to some other obstruction (e.g., odontoma).
The most common impacted teeth are wisdom teeth.
Canines and premolars can also remain impacted.

Tooth crowding must be treated because it can:

• cause damage to the root structure of the adjacent teeth (absorption)
• cause problems with the sinuses
• create spaces between the teeth
• lead to tooth malfunction
• cause premature tooth decay
• cause distortions of the teeth

How can the inclusion of a tooth be corrected orthodontically? Usually the impacted tooth is exposed during the first few months of orthodontic treatment and then pulled into its proper position in the mouth.
Uncovering an impacted tooth may require minor surgery, which is performed by an oral surgeon in consultation with our office.
This surgery will then allow us to bring the impacted tooth into the proper position.

MISSING TEETH

A tooth is called missing when it is absent when it should normally be present in the mouth.
This can be caused by trauma or lack of development of dental pulp. This problem needs to be corrected because: – it causes tooth dysfunction – it brings premature tooth decay – it involves asymmetrical alignment of teeth – it makes your smile less attractive How can missing one or more teeth be corrected orthodontically? Depending on the case, the space due to a missing tooth can be closed or adjusted for later prosthetic restoration of the tooth.
The prosthetic restoration can be an implant or a bridge.