Exposures: A SMOOTH PATH TO RELIEF
A precise, gentle procedure to help impacted teeth join your smile correctly.
3D
IMPACTED TOOTH MAPPING
Safe
PROTECTS ADJACENT TEETH
High
ORTHODONTIC ALIGNMENT SUCCESS
1
STEP TOWARD COMPLETION
UNCOVERING THE POTENTIAL
When a tooth remains stuck beneath the gum or bone—a common issue with upper canines—it can stall your orthodontic progress and impact your long-term oral health. Exposure and bonding is a specialized 'rescue' procedure designed to gently uncover these teeth and provide the support they need to erupt.
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At Downriver Surgery Center, we work hand-in-hand with your orthodontist to create a clear path for your smile. By removing a small amount of tissue or bone and bonding a tiny bracket to the tooth, we allow it to be safely guided into position. This simple step prevents crowding, infections, and damage to neighboring teeth, ensuring your smile is as healthy as it is beautiful.
A CLEAR PATH
A precise, five-step journey to uncovering your tooth and advancing your orthodontic care.
01
DIGITAL X-RAY SCAN
Dr. Alec begins with digital scans to see exactly where the tooth is trapped and at what angle. We coordinate directly with your orthodontist to ensure the surgery aligns perfectly with your overall treatment plan.
02
THE COMFORT PHASE
Before we begin, we will sedate you to ensure you are completely relaxed and peaceful during the procedure. This allows our team to focus on the delicate task of uncovering the tooth while you remain in a stress-free state.
03
GENTLE TOOTH BONDING
Dr. Alec carefully uncovers the impacted tooth and attaches a small orthodontic bracket. This tiny guide will eventually allow your orthodontist to apply a light, steady force to bring the tooth into its correct position.
04
RESTING IN PLACE
After the successful completion of your procedure, you will stay right in the same private room where you started. Our team will remain by your side to monitor your comfort and provide any immediate aftercare until you feel steady and ready to head home with your driver.
05
DR. ALEC’S FOLLOW-UP
Dr. Alec will personally call you on the night of your procedure to check on your healing and answer any questions. We’ll make sure you have everything you need for a quick recovery before your next orthodontic visit.
GENTLE HEALING
Recovering from an exposure and bonding procedure is typically very quick and manageable. For the first few days, you may feel a little tenderness in the area, but this is easily managed with simple care and soft foods. The goal is to keep the site clean and the bracket secure so your orthodontist can take over the next phase of the journey.
FAQ
If a tooth is trapped in the bone, braces alone often can't reach it. By uncovering it and adding a bracket, we give your orthodontist a 'handle' to guide that tooth into the arch alongside the others.
Most patients are surprised at how easy the recovery is. You might have some minor swelling or soreness for a day or two, but it's generally much milder than an extraction and easy to manage at home.
Trapped teeth can eventually cause cysts, damage the roots of nearby healthy teeth, or lead to infections. Exposing the tooth is a proactive way to protect your overall oral health and ensure your smile stays straight.
Typically, you will visit your orthodontist 1 to 2 weeks after your visit with us. By then, the initial healing is complete, and the bracket is ready for them to apply the gentle force needed to guide the tooth into place.
Don't worry—it’s a simple fix. While we use high-strength medical bonding, occasionally a bracket can come loose. If that happens, just give us a call and we will quickly re-bond it so your orthodontic progress doesn't skip a beat.
Dr. Alec personally calls each patient on the evening of their procedure. He wants to ensure you are resting comfortably and that you're feeling ready to move forward with the next step of your orthodontic journey.