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Impacted teeth

Impacted tooth exposure, guiding a buried tooth into place

Impacted tooth exposure, often called expose and bond, uncovers an adult tooth that is stuck under the gum or in the bone and attaches a small bracket to it so the tooth can be brought into line. Dr. Abtin Shahriari leads the process in Dawsonville, from the 3D scan to the surgery, and his team coordinates the orthodontic side for you.

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Who it is for

Teeth that need a hand.

Many patients are teens, and adults can have this done too. The tooth is healthy; it just has not been able to come in on its own.

  • An adult canine that has not appeared by the expected age
  • A baby tooth that is still in place long after it should have fallen out
  • An X-ray that shows a tooth sitting sideways or high in the palate
  • A dentist or orthodontist who has spotted a buried tooth and suggested a surgical consult
A monitor showing 3D cone beam CT images of a jaw and a panoramic dental scan

How it works

How expose and bond works.

Dr. Abtin's team plans the whole process with you and keeps everyone involved on the same page.

  1. Locating the tooth

    A 3D cone beam CT scan shows exactly where the tooth sits and how close it is to the roots of neighboring teeth.

  2. Building the plan

    Dr. Abtin maps out the approach and the timing with you, and the team coordinates directly with your orthodontist, so you are never the go-between. Braces are usually placed beforehand to make room.

  3. Uncovering and bonding

    With the area numb and any sedation in effect, a small section of gum is opened, a bracket with a fine chain is bonded to the tooth, and the gum is closed.

  4. Bringing it into line

    Over the following months, gentle pressure on the chain draws the tooth gradually into its spot in the arch, and Dr. Abtin's team stays available if anything comes up along the way.

A consultation room with framed diplomas, a round white desk and two chairs
ConsultationMost of a consultation is for listening. Then you look at your scan together and decide on a plan.

Recovery

How long does healing take after expose and bond?

Expect some tenderness and mild swelling for a few days. Many teens are back at school within a day or two, depending on how they feel and which sedation they had.

Eat soft foods, rinse gently as instructed, and be careful not to pull or bump the small chain. Gentle movement of the tooth usually starts once the gum has begun to heal.

Possible risks

  • The bracket or chain can come loose and need to be reattached
  • The tooth may move more slowly than planned, or not at all, which is more likely in adults
  • Changes in the gum around the tooth once it reaches its place
  • Bleeding, swelling or infection, as with any oral surgery

Dr. Abtin goes over the risks that apply to you, and how they are lowered, before you decide on surgery.

Read the general after-surgery guide

Sedation options

Comfort, your way.

Some patients do well with local anesthesia and nitrous oxide. Teens who feel anxious, or cases where the tooth sits deep in the bone, may be more comfortable with IV sedation.

  • Option for this procedure

    Local anesthesia

    Numbs the area being treated. You are awake, and you feel pressure but not sharp pain.

  • Option for this procedure

    Nitrous oxide

    A gas you breathe through a small mask. It takes the edge off nerves and wears off within minutes after the mask comes off.

  • Option for this procedure

    IV sedation

    Medicine given through a vein places you in a deeply relaxed, sleep-like state. Most people remember little of the procedure. You need an adult to drive you home.

How sedation works at NGOS

Insurance and cost

Does insurance cover expose and bond?

Expose and bond is often covered in part by dental insurance, and some plans treat it as part of orthodontic care. Benefits vary widely, so the team checks your plan before the procedure and walks you through what to expect.

Insurance and financing

FAQ

Impacted teeth exposure: your questions.

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Upper canines are among the last front teeth to come in, and they travel a long path to get there. Crowding, a baby tooth that will not let go, or a tooth that starts at an angle can leave it stuck under the gum or in the roof of the mouth.

Canines anchor your bite and support the shape of your smile, so keeping them is usually worth the effort. Removal may be discussed when a tooth is in a position that cannot be guided safely, and Dr. Abtin will walk you through the options.

Usually yes. Braces are often placed first to open space for the tooth. Once the bracket and chain are attached during surgery, the braces give the tooth something to be guided toward as it moves into place. Dr. Abtin's team coordinates that timing with your orthodontist.

It varies with how deep the tooth sits and how far it needs to travel. Movement is gradual and can take several months, with progress checked at regular visits and the chain adjusted along the way.

Yes, though the bone in adults is denser and a tooth that has been stuck for many years may move more slowly or not at all. A 3D scan and a consultation with Dr. Abtin help decide whether exposure is a good option for you.

Related care

You may also want to read.

All procedures

Sources for patients

General information from patient education pages by the organizations above. Page updated November 4, 2026.

Ready when you are

Talk with the team today.

Ask a question, ask about your insurance or book a consultation with Dr. Abtin at the Dawsonville office.

Request a visit Call (706) 969-7664