Exposure / Uncovering of Permanent Teeth
Sometimes teeth do not erupt through the gums for a variety of reasons, requiring the assistance of a periodontist. The procedure to expose a tooth that has failed to erupt into the mouth is called tooth exposure or uncovery. These teeth are impacted—they are under the gum, and sometimes under a bony housing. The procedure to assist the eruption requires making a small window for the tooth to erupt through unimpeded. The time necessary for the tooth to erupt into the mouth is usually 2-4 months, and sometimes up to 9 months.

The advanced procedure we use for uncovering the tooth allows for the tooth to grow down or up into position on its own, without the usual attachment of chains needed to pull the tooth through the bone and gum, a tedious and often frustrating event. The result is that the tooth moves though the tissue by means of remodeling of the periodontal ligament instead of causing pressure against the bone until it dies (“pressure necrosis”), therefore cutting treatment time in braces by 6-9 months! This is also healthier for the adjacent teeth as they are not required to withstand the opposite forces to pull the tooth through the bone and gum.
Once the tooth has erupted through the gum, a bracket is attached and it is quickly and easily brought into position.

Before

After

Final