Maxfacts

Ectopic (displaced) teeth

Removal of ectopic teeth is an extremely common surgical procedure the rationale of which are described in our section on the diagnosis of ectopic teeth, the procedures for which are described in our section on the treatment of ectopic teeth, and the potential problems in our section about postoperative problems.

The timelines will vary depending on the degree of surgery required, principally on the amount of bone removed in order to access the relevant tooth. Very minimal bone removal in young elastic bone will create a short 2 to 3 day period of swelling and discomfort with a return to near pre-operation situation within a week. Extensive bone removal in an older patient (jaw bone increases in density and decreases in elasticity over the age of approximately 40) can result in 7 to 10 days of swelling and discomfort which may be prolonged if a dry socket occurs.

Unless quite minimal surgery is involved, a week away from work or other strenuous activity such as sport is advisable.

In instances where unwanted events occur such as lingual or inferior alveolar nerve damage occur, or an oro-antral fistula is created, the healing timeline is prolonged by management of those conditions.