Orthodontic Surgery

Surgical support for orthodontic treatment, including exposure of impacted teeth, TAD placement, tooth transplantation, and planning for missing adult teeth or retained primary teeth that may eventually need implants.

Three surgical supports

Small surgical steps can make orthodontic movement possible.

When teeth are hidden, movement needs a stable anchor, or a natural tooth can be relocated, oral surgery helps the orthodontic plan move forward safely and predictably.

01

Exposure of impacted teeth

For teeth that are trapped under gum or bone — often canines — we uncover the tooth and place a bracket or chain so your orthodontist can guide it into the arch.

02

TAD placement

Temporary anchorage devices act like stable surgical anchor points. They help orthodontists move teeth in ways that may be difficult with braces or aligners alone.

03

Tooth transplantation

In select cases, a natural tooth can be moved from one location to another. Success depends on timing, root development, bone support, and close orthodontic follow-up.

Each option is coordinated directly with the orthodontist, using imaging and timing to protect nearby teeth, roots, gum tissue, and the final bite. When adult teeth are missing or primary teeth are retained, we also help plan space, bone preservation, growth timing, and eventual implant readiness.

Orthodontic surgery overview

When a permanent tooth doesn’t erupt properly — especially canines — your orthodontist may recommend surgical exposure to guide it into place. At Bluebird Oral Surgery, we combine expert surgical technique with the latest 3D imaging to ensure a comfortable experience and the best possible long-term outcome, working closely with orthodontists across Central Oregon.

When a permanent tooth doesn’t erupt properly — especially canines — your orthodontist may recommend surgical exposure to guide it into place. At Bluebird Oral Surgery, we combine expert surgical technique with the latest 3D imaging to ensure a comfortable experience and the best possible long-term outcome, working closely with orthodontists across Central Oregon.

How surgical support helps

Some orthodontic problems need a surgical step so the orthodontist can guide teeth into the right position. Exposure and bonding of impacted teeth helps bring an unerupted tooth into the arch, TAD placement can provide stable anchorage for complex movement, and tooth transplantation may be considered in select situations when moving a natural tooth offers the best functional result. We also help manage missing adult teeth and retained primary teeth when future implants may be needed. Timing is important: surgery is coordinated with orthodontic movement, growth, bone preservation, and restorative planning so the final bite is functional and durable.

Some orthodontic problems need a surgical step so the orthodontist can guide teeth into the right position. Exposure and bonding of impacted teeth helps bring an unerupted tooth into the arch, TAD placement can provide stable anchorage for complex movement, and tooth transplantation may be considered in select situations when moving a natural tooth offers the best functional result. We also help manage missing adult teeth and retained primary teeth when future implants may be needed. Timing is important: surgery is coordinated with orthodontic movement, growth, bone preservation, and restorative planning so the final bite is functional and durable.

Procedures and planning details

Orthodontic Surgery details

Thoughtful Planning with 3D Imaging

Not all impacted teeth are the same — some are rotated, positioned high in the palate, or near the roots of neighboring teeth. Every case begins with low-radiation cone beam CT (CBCT) imaging, a thorough review of the scan with you and your orthodontist, and precise mapping of the tooth’s location and angle. This protects nearby teeth and helps your orthodontist move the tooth efficiently and safely.

Not all impacted teeth are the same — some are rotated, positioned high in the palate, or near the roots of neighboring teeth. Every case begins with low-radiation cone beam CT (CBCT) imaging, a thorough review of the scan with you and your orthodontist, and precise mapping of the tooth’s location and angle. This protects nearby teeth and helps your orthodontist move the tooth efficiently and safely.

Open vs. Closed Exposure — Tailored to You

  • Open exposure: the gum is repositioned to leave the crown visible, often used when the tooth is close to erupting on its own.

  • Closed exposure: a small bracket and chain are placed on the hidden tooth and the gum is closed over it, used for deeper or more angled impactions.

We work closely with your orthodontist to determine which approach is best for your case, ensuring both function and esthetics in the final result.

We work closely with your orthodontist to determine which approach is best for your case, ensuring both function and esthetics in the final result.

Focus on Healthy Gums — Now and in the Future

Getting the tooth into place is just the first step. We take care to preserve or sculpt the gum tissue so the erupted tooth has stable, healthy soft tissue around it, you avoid gum recession or poor esthetics later, and the final result supports long-term periodontal health.

Getting the tooth into place is just the first step. We take care to preserve or sculpt the gum tissue so the erupted tooth has stable, healthy soft tissue around it, you avoid gum recession or poor esthetics later, and the final result supports long-term periodontal health.

IV Sedation for a Stress-Free Experience

Oral surgery can be stressful, especially for younger patients. We offer IV sedation or general anesthesia tailored to your comfort level in a calm, professional environment, so you’ll be asleep and comfortable for the entire procedure.

Oral surgery can be stressful, especially for younger patients. We offer IV sedation or general anesthesia tailored to your comfort level in a calm, professional environment, so you’ll be asleep and comfortable for the entire procedure.

Advanced Technology, Including Isoglide

  • Use of the Isoglide® system, which can reduce the number of orthodontic visits and improve how efficiently the tooth is brought into place.

  • Precision placement of brackets and chains to minimize discomfort and optimize tooth movement.

  • Seamless communication with your orthodontist throughout the process.

Realistic Expectations, Built on Experience

Not every impacted tooth is guaranteed to move into place — particularly in older patients, when the tooth is positioned very high, sideways, or behind other roots, or when surrounding teeth have shifted or been damaged. We give you a clear, honest assessment of your likelihood of success, any risks to nearby teeth, and whether alternative treatments should be considered, so you can make fully informed decisions about your care.

Not every impacted tooth is guaranteed to move into place — particularly in older patients, when the tooth is positioned very high, sideways, or behind other roots, or when surrounding teeth have shifted or been damaged. We give you a clear, honest assessment of your likelihood of success, any risks to nearby teeth, and whether alternative treatments should be considered, so you can make fully informed decisions about your care.

TAD placement for orthodontic anchorage

Temporary anchorage devices, or TADs, are small orthodontic screws placed in precise locations to give the orthodontist a stable point of support for tooth movement. Placement is quick, carefully planned around roots and anatomy, and coordinated directly with your orthodontist so complex movements can be completed more predictably.

Temporary anchorage devices, or TADs, are small orthodontic screws placed in precise locations to give the orthodontist a stable point of support for tooth movement. Placement is quick, carefully planned around roots and anatomy, and coordinated directly with your orthodontist so complex movements can be completed more predictably.

Tooth Transplantation

In carefully selected cases, a natural tooth may be moved from one location to another. Success depends on tooth shape, root development, bone support, timing, and coordinated follow-up care.

In carefully selected cases, a natural tooth may be moved from one location to another. Success depends on tooth shape, root development, bone support, timing, and coordinated follow-up care.

Missing adult teeth and retained primary teeth

Some patients are missing permanent adult teeth or have retained primary teeth that may eventually need to be replaced with implants. We help coordinate timing with the orthodontist, restorative dentist, and family so space can be preserved, bone can be protected, and future implant placement is planned at the right stage of growth and development.

Some patients are missing permanent adult teeth or have retained primary teeth that may eventually need to be replaced with implants. We help coordinate timing with the orthodontist, restorative dentist, and family so space can be preserved, bone can be protected, and future implant placement is planned at the right stage of growth and development.

Schedule a Orthodontic Surgery consultation

Schedule a Orthodontic Surgery consultation

Our team will review your needs, explain your options, and help you plan the next step with confidence.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Thoughtful care at every step

Your visit is planned around clarity, comfort, and a recovery path that feels manageable before you ever sit in the chair.

Specialist-led planning

Treatment details are reviewed with the surgical team so timing, anesthesia, and next steps are clear.

Clear preparation

You’ll know what to bring, what to avoid, and how to plan your day around the procedure.

Guided recovery

Post-op instructions focus on comfort, swelling control, and knowing when to reach out.