Impacted Cuspid: What are my options?

oral surgeon

For the most attractive smile and a properly functioning bite, it is important for each tooth to grow into its appropriate position. In most cases, tooth eruption is a natural process that may require minor orthodontic assistance in order to achieve perfection. In many instances, one or more teeth may fail to grow into place naturally, and you’ll need the expertise of an oral surgeon to complete the process. One of the most commonly impacted, or “trapped” teeth are the upper cuspids. These teeth, also referred to as the eye teeth or canines, play an important role in the alignment of your bite. They also have the longest roots of any other permanent teeth, making them stronger and more durable than most of the other teeth.  Since an impacted cuspid cannot be expected to erupt naturally, modern dentistry offers many proven solutions to assist in the process. Your orthodontist may…

Is it time to have my wisdom teeth removed?

wisdom teeth

For many patients, the third molars, also known as the wisdom teeth, are nothing but trouble. They serve no purpose for modern humans, but they can cause lots of problems when they remain in the mouth. As a result, most patients visit an oral surgeon during late adolescence or early adulthood to have their wisdom teeth extracted. Wisdom teeth can cause a number of issues for Dallas TX patients. Because there is no longer room in the jaw to accommodate the wisdom teeth, they often become impacted. When the wisdom teeth fail to erupt or do so only partially, they can develop tumors or cysts. As wisdom teeth attempt to emerge through the gums, they can knock the other teeth out of alignment. Even when the wisdom teeth erupt properly, they are still more prone to infection than the other teeth, as it is extraordinarily difficult to keep the rearmost…