Impacted Wisdom Tooth Removal?
Patients often have the misconception that their wisdom teeth must be removed, while this is not always the case. There is actually no harm in keeping the third molars or wisdom teeth. They can even add value, just like the other teeth.
In some cases, impacted wisdom teeth do not cause any issues or negatively affect the adjacent teeth. When the teeth are not causing any problems, they do not need to be removed. Impacted wisdom teeth which are causing problems will most likely require removal.
An impacted wisdom tooth occurs when the mouth lacks adequate room for the teeth or when the wisdom teeth grow at the wrong angle. The following article will discuss common symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth and review common questions such as when extraction is necessary. Impacted wisdom teeth which are asymptomatic can typically remain in the mouth without causing any problems and removal can be avoided.
When evaluating an impacted tooth, it is critical for the dentist to consider the eruption and development of the other teeth in the mouth. In most cases, third molars or wisdom teeth erupt for patients between the age of 16 and 25. The tooth’s roots are not fully mature as the mouth is still developing, which makes some experts question if the term “impacted” should be used. The teeth are still actively erupting and moving into their final position.
In some cases, an impacted wisdom tooth does not result in any symptoms and they are detected by using dental x-rays. Alternatively, the impacted wisdom teeth can cause the symptoms listed below:
* Gum or jaw swelling
* Pain and discomfort
* Bleeding gums
* Foul taste in the mouth or bad breath
* Challenges with opening the mouth
* Shifting of the existing teeth
When a patient has any of the symptoms listed above, the dentist will typically opt to remove the teeth. There are actually six different ways that the wisdom teeth can be impacted. This includes the following:
1. Mesial impaction: The most common type of impaction which takes place when the tooth is angled forward towards the front of the mouth.
2. Vertical impaction: While the teeth erupt straight, the mouth does not have adequate room.
3. Horizontal impaction: The teeth are horizontally impacted or lying on their side.
4. Distal impaction: Teeth which are distally impacted are less common. This involves the teeth being angled towards the back of the mouth.
5. Soft tissue impaction: This occurs when the tooth erupts through the gum.
6. Bony impaction: This term is used to describe teeth which are still within the bone, but have emerged through the gum.
It is possible for impacted wisdom teeth to result in various issues and cause serious discomfort. Common issues can include damage to the adjacent teeth, pain, decay, and infection. Patients who suspect they may have impacted wisdom teeth should follow up with the dentist right away. The dentist will perform a thorough examination and order x-rays. This will help them determine if the teeth are causing problems and need to be extracted. The presence of symptoms typically suggests that the teeth need to be removed. When there are no symptoms and the impacted wisdom teeth are not negatively impacting the other teeth, they can often remain in the mouth without any issues.