Case Study: Lauren Learns About Exposures

Creating space for teeth that have not yet erupted is sometimes necessary during orthodontic treatment.

Patient. Lauren came to us a few years ago with the primary concern of "crowding."  Upon taking an x-ray, we noticed all four of her canine teeth – which had not yet erupted – were positioned in such a way that they would likely harm her adjacent adult teeth. That’s not what we want! Thanks to the x-ray shown below, we knew that we needed to prepare Lauren’s mouth for the eventual eruption of those teeth!

Problem. We needed to create space for the unerupted canine teeth. In the process of making those spaces available, Lauren visits regularly and we watch the progress of her canine teeth. Making the space for these teeth doesn’t always guarantee the teeth will come into the perfect position.

Solution. In Lauren’s case, in order to further bring the teeth into the best "spot," help was needed!  We referred Lauren to an oral surgeon or periodontist who performs an "exposure" procedure. 

The Process. During this procedure, Lauren’s mouth was numbed. The periodontist or oral surgeon makes his/her way through the gum tissue and bone and glues a small button on the tooth. The button is then attached to a short gold chain. Back at the orthodontist office, we attach this chain to the wire of Lauren’s braces. Over a series of visits, we slowly pull the teeth closer and closer until we can finally see them poke through the gum tissue! Take a look at the highlighted areas  below to see the areas where we slowly encouraged Lauren’s teeth to the correct positions.

Results. Once the canine teeth have fully erupted, we place full braces on the teeth until they are straightened and in line with the rest of her teeth. The x-ray below shows the canine teeth, now in the corrected positions.

Finally, Lauren had all the braces removed. What a beautiful full smile and a happy patient! Lauren started treatment at age 11. Her treatment lasted two and a half years, allowing time for the canine teeth to move properly and slowly through her bone.