Impacted tooth surgery Melbourne

Tooth exposure surgery is a procedure that helps guide an impacted tooth into its proper position. This usually means a tooth that’s stuck under the gum and hasn’t come through like it should.

It’s most often done for impacted canine teeth, especially in teenagers and young adults, where the tooth is healthy but simply needs help finding its place in the mouth. Rather than removing the tooth, as with impacted wisdom teeth, exposure surgery aims to bring the tooth into position with help from braces and a specialist team.

Why does a tooth need to be “exposed”?

Sometimes a tooth doesn’t erupt (break through the gum) on its own. It gets stuck or impacted under the gum or even within the jawbone. This often happens when:

There’s not enough space in the mouth
The tooth is growing at the wrong angle
Other teeth are blocking the way

This is especially common with upper canine teeth, which are key to your bite and smile. If these teeth don’t erupt properly, your orthodontist may refer you to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for tooth exposure surgery.

How does tooth exposure surgery work?

1. The orthodontist and surgeon work together

Your orthodontist starts by creating space using braces or other orthodontic devices. Once that space is ready, we step in to help uncover the impacted tooth.

2. The procedure itself

Most tooth exposure procedures are carried out in hospital under general anaesthetic. The surgery takes around 30-45 minutes. We make a small cut in the gum to reveal the tooth. In some cases, we also remove a little bone around it, depending on how deep the tooth is sitting.

3. Attaching a small bracket or chain

Once the tooth is visible, we attach a tiny metal bracket or gold chain to it. Your orthodontist will then gently use this chain, connected to your braces, to slowly pull the tooth into position over time. It’s a controlled, gradual process that usually takes a few months.

Why it’s important

Leaving an impacted tooth untreated isn’t just a cosmetic issue. It can lead to:

Crowding or misalignment of other teeth
Damage to nearby roots
Formation of cysts or infection around the impacted tooth

Tooth exposure surgery helps avoid these problems and supports long-term dental and orthodontic health. It’s a small step that can prevent much bigger issues down the track.

Recovery and aftercare

Recovery is usually quick. You may have some mild swelling or tenderness for a few days, which is managed with over-the-counter pain relief. Most people return to normal activities within 24–48 hours.

Your orthodontist will give you care instructions for the chain and braces, and you’ll see us for a quick check-up to make sure healing is on track.