Surgical Exposure of Partially Erupted #13 for Natural Eruption
Surgical Procedure
Chief Complaint
Patient reports recent pain in the lower left posterior jaw region and parent observed that tooth #37 appears “crooked.”
Clinical Findings
Pain in LL posterior region has resolved.
Tooth #37 buccal cusps exposed, alignment within acceptable axis and consistent with adjacent erupted teeth.
#48 alignment good and functional, no pathology noted.
Retained #13 observed;
#23 fully erupted and in normal position.
OPG taken: #13 still has potential to erupt fully with proper guidance.
Treatment Plan
Reassure regarding #37 — allow natural eruption; no intervention required.
Proceed with surgical exposure of #13 to facilitate natural eruption before root formation completes.
Provide post-operative care instructions.
Review healing and monitor eruption progress in subsequent visits.
Pre-operative Assessment
Patient and father briefed; mother not present.
Risks and procedures explained.
Consent obtained for surgical exposure of partially erupted #13.
OPG reviewed; suitable anatomy and favourable eruption potential observed.
Anesthesia
Topical local anesthesia applied around tooth #13.
Surgical Procedure
Patient cleaned and draped.
980nm Diode Laser used for:
Incision
Removal of overlying dense soft tissue
Recontouring soft tissue surrounding #13
Achieving hemostasis
Pre-operative photos were not taken before surgery; initial images captured immediately after first laser incision.
Vitamin E applied post-surgically.
Post-operative instructions given.
Post-operative photographs taken.
Post-operative Assessment
Hemostasis achieved.
Soft tissue response satisfactory.
Patient tolerated procedure well.
Advised to monitor healing and return for review as scheduled.