ROOT™ Periodontal & Implant Centers

TOOTH EXPOSURE & UNCOVERY

Serving the Greater Dallas Fort Worth Metro

Tooth exposure is a procedure that involves uncovering a permanent tooth that has not yet erupted. This is done by making a tiny incision in your gum, through which the tooth can erupt. It is important to address impacted teeth because failure to do so can result in painful infections developing.

Tooth Exposure & Uncovery Serving the Greater Dallas Fort Worth Metro

Tooth Exposure & Uncovery Dallas Fort Worth

Tooth exposure is a procedure that involves uncovering a permanent tooth that has not yet erupted. This is done by making a tiny incision in your gum, through which the tooth can erupt. It is important to address impacted teeth because failure to do so can result in painful infections developing. Tooth exposure is most commonly performed when wisdom teeth do not erupt or when children have permanent teeth that do not erupt naturally.

There are several factors that can result in a tooth becoming impacted and requiring a tooth extraction, including the following:

Discrepancies in the arch length/tooth size
Early loss or prolonged retention of primary canine
Tooth bud abnormally positioned
Tooth fused to bone (ankylosis)
Large curves of root (dilacerations)
Ankylosis (the tooth is fused to the bone)

At ROOT™ Periodontal and Implant Center, we are committed to ensuring you maintain your bright and healthy smile. We are also proud to provide you with the latest dental technology to ensure that you achieve the long-lasting results that you deserve. If you are interested in learning more about the quality services we offer, or if you have any questions concerning whether or not tooth exposure is right for you, contact us today. We are committed to helping you achieve and maintain that bright, healthy smile that you deserve!

New Patient Forms

Request an Appointment

Billing, Financial & Insurance Information

Dr. Patel

Periodontist

The training that Dr. Patel has received has given him a wide range of experience in treating advanced periodontal disease, complicated extractions of teeth, placement of dental implants, bone regenerative procedures, as well as in periodontal plastic surgery/cosmetic procedures.

Meet Dr. Patel >

Dr. Pooria Fallah

Periodontist

Dr. Fallah received his DDS degree in 2009 and subsequently completed his residency program in Periodontics at New York University College of Dentistry in 2015. He became a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontics in 2016 and has been practicing periodontics in private practice in Dallas since 2015.

Meet Dr. Pooria Fallah >

Dr. Husain

Periodontist

Dr. Husain is proficient in dental surgical procedures involving bone and soft tissue grafting, dental implant placement, minimally invasive LANAP and other laser procedures, and treating chronic periodontal diseases.

Meet Dr. Husain >

Dr. Li

Periodontist

Dr. Li is a Board-Certified periodontist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology. A Diplomate is a periodontist who has made significant achievements beyond the mandatory educational requirements of the specialty, demonstrating a comprehensive mastery of all phases of periodontal disease and treatment and in the placement of dental implants.

Meet Dr. Li >

Dr. Sheppard

Periodontist

Dr. Sheppard has been in private practice since 2004. She takes pride in providing her patients with the highest quality care using the latest technology and using a patient centered approach. In 2005, she co-founded The Northwest Society of Women Dentists, an organization for women who were often also business owners.

Meet Dr. Sheppard >

Candidate for Tooth Exposure

Tooth exposure is a good option for children who have teeth that are erupting, but do not have the necessary amount of space to allow them to come in fully. If mouths do not have sufficient amount of space, the appearance of the smile can suffer and additional oral health issues can develop. By performing a tooth exposure, the tooth will be able to come in properly, which will result in an arch that is more aligned and complete, improving the patient’s ability to chew and bite and ensuring they are at less of a risk in developing malocclusion.

Tooth Exposure Process

To determine if tooth exposure is right for you, you will need to schedule an initial consultation, during which we will examine the overall health of your teeth, review your medical history, and determine what treatment options are best suited to your unique needs. To determine if tooth exposure is the optimal treatment option for you, we will take scans or x-rays and determine if the tooth is impacted palatally or buccally.

Once this is determined, the procedure will begin with a local anesthetic. The type of anesthesia that is used may vary, depending upon the severity of your case as well as your overall sensitivity. Once you are properly numbed, we will lift the gum tissue over the tooth. Doing so allows us to place the bracket. After the bracket has been placed, the gum is returned to its original location and sutured shut.

At your follow up appointment, which will typically be scheduled within the next two weeks, we will attach a rubber band to the bracket. Once fastened, we will gently pull on the bracket, which will start moving the tooth to the proper position. Getting the tooth to reach the desired position is a gradual process, but we will monitor your progress and the health of your gums the whole time.

CONTACT ROOT™

Scheduling regular visits to maintain your teeth and gums will actively improve your overall health, and maintaining a bright and strong healthy smile will do wonders for your self-confidence.

Aftercare for Tooth Exposure

It is not uncommon for patients to experience some soreness following the tooth exposure procedure. To help alleviate this pain, your periodontist will likely suggest OTC pain medication such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen. It may also be helpful to use a soft bristle toothbrush and practice gentle brushing.

Your periodontist will likely schedule a follow-up to ensure you are healing property. Once you have properly healed, you will not have to follow any additional aftercare maintenance, though to maximize the benefits and longevity of this procedure, it is critical to practice good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing at least once daily, and ideally every time you brush your teeth. It is also important to practice proper brushing and flossing techniques and continue scheduling regular checkups with your periodontist every six months. By maintaining a consistent oral health care routine, you will significantly reduce your risk of developing additional periodontal issues, and will continue enjoying a bright and healthy smile for many years to come.

Tooth Exposure Cost

There are a range of factors that can impact the final cost of having tooth exposure performed, such as the severity of your case, any associated procedures that will need to be performed prior to or along with treatment, as well as your insurance plan.

Our team is committed to helping you complete necessary paperwork, schedule appointments, and answer any questions you have concerning billing. For patients who have insurance plans, we do request you submit medical/dental insurance information with your New Patient Paperwork to expedite this process.

Please note: to reduce costs to our patients while still ensuring that we can provide the highest level of care, we have the following financial polices:

We accept Discover, Visa, MasterCard, and American Express
Full payment is due after services rendered
Payment plan options are available via www.CareCredit.com

PERIODONTAL SERVICES

To determine if you have gum disease, your periodontist will measure the space between your teeth and gums. Patients who have pockets that are deeper than the average depth of three millimeters or less will be considered candidates for treating gum disease. Depending upon how severe your case is, your periodontist will suggest a follow up appointment, during which several different treatment options may be recommended.

Pinhole Surgical Treatment

Patients who are suffering from periodontal disease may experience gum recession. If this issue is not treated at an early stage, more complicated and serious problems can develop, as gum recession creates greater exposure of your natural teeth, which creates opportunities for bacteria to build. To address this issue, patients have historically had gum grafting, which involves removing tissue from unaffected areas and then grafting this tissue to the areas that have been affected. This is an effective method for addressing the issue of receding gums, however there is a newer and increasingly popular approach to treating receding gums, which is the Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique (PST).

Learn More About Pinhole Surgical Technique >

Laser Gum Surgery

Laser gum surgery is an advanced treatment option that efficiently and painlessly treats gum disease through the use of a laser. One of the unique aspects of laser gum surgery is that the laser pinpoints and kills bacteria without damaging surrounding gum tissue. Unlike other treatment options, which involve cutting and suturing, patients who have laser gum surgery and treatment performed will have a much quicker healing process.

Learn More About Laser Gum Surgery >

Gum Grafting

Patients who have gum recession may consider having a gum graft, a common oral surgical procedure that thickens existing gums and/or covers a tooth root surface in order to prevent further recession from occurring. Gum recession can occur for a variety of reasons, but the most common reason is due to periodontal disease. A gum graft will not only improve the aesthetic appearance of your smile, but will also reduce your risk of developing additional issues.

More About Gum Grafting >

Gingival Contouring

Patients who have an imbalanced ratio between their visible gums and teeth have what is commonly referred to as a gummy smile. Gummy smiles can be caused by a range of factors, including bone deterioration, periodontal disease, or genetic predisposition. Regardless of the reason, patients often feel self-conscious about their appearance and will seek to improve this issue by having a gum contouring procedure performed.

More on Gum Contouring >

Scaling & Root Planing

Scaling and Root Planing (also known as deep teeth cleaning and deep gum cleaning) is a common method used to address periodontal disease. Scaling refers to the process of removing tartar that has accumulated, either on your teeth or below your gumline. Planing refers to the removal of tartar below the root line. When bacteria is allowed to settle on your teeth for too long, it will eventually mineralize and turn into tartar. The primary difference between plaque and tartar is that plaque can be removed by conventional brushing methods, whereas tartar will need to be removed through the efforts of your periodontist. It is important to schedule regular deep teeth cleaning and deep gum cleaning appointments to prevent periodontal disease from developing.

More on Scaling & Root Planing >

Schedule Your Visit Today

At ROOT™ Periodontal and Implant Center, we take your health, confidence, and teeth seriously. Scheduling regular visits to maintain your teeth and gums will actively improve your overall health, and maintaining a bright and strong healthy smile will do wonders for your self-confidence. In addition to recognizing the importance of your oral health, we also understand the importance of your time, which is why we are committed to making every visit to our clinic as efficient as possible.

If you would like to learn more about tooth exposure and/or see if tooth exposure is right for you, schedule an appointment or consultation today with our friendly, helpful staff, who can be reached at the following locations: Carrollton: (972) 242-7603; Flower Mound: (972) 434-8050; Denton: (940) 566-7021, or Frisco: (469) 489-ROOT.

We look forward to serving you and your smile and having you on your way as soon as possible!

ROOT™ Periodontal & Implant Centers