An impacted tooth is a tooth that becomes trapped beneath the gum line or within the jaw and cannot properly emerge into its expected position. While impacted wisdom teeth are common, other teeth, especially the upper canine teeth (also known as eyeteeth), may also become impacted and require specialized treatment.

Wisdom teeth often become impacted because there is limited space in the back of the jaw, which can lead to discomfort, infection, and other oral health concerns. Since wisdom teeth are not typically essential for proper function, they are often removed when problems develop.

Upper canine teeth, however, play an important role in your bite and overall dental function. These teeth have some of the longest roots in the mouth and help guide your teeth into proper alignment when you bite. Because of their importance, treatment is often focused on helping impacted canine teeth erupt naturally whenever possible.

When an impacted tooth does not erupt on its own, an orthodontist and oral surgeon often work together to guide the tooth into place. Dr. Humes may perform a procedure to expose the impacted tooth and attach a small orthodontic bracket that allows the orthodontist to gradually move the tooth into the correct position.

The goal is to preserve the natural tooth whenever possible rather than remove it. Once the tooth reaches its proper alignment, the surrounding gum tissue can be evaluated and additional treatment may be recommended if needed.