Impacted Wisdom Tooth Removal?
More people than not believe that wisdom teeth should be removed. Basically, there is nothing bad about the third molars, or your wisdom teeth. They actually can be a valuable part of your dentition, like the rest of your teeth.
You might ask whether your impacted wisdom teeth need to be removed. The answer can be a surprise, because not all impacted wisdom teeth need to be removed. If the impacted wisdom tooth is causing some problems, then it should be removed.
An impacted wisdom tooth is when they erupt at an unnatural angle, or if there is not even enough room for them to erupt. When an impacted tooth is evaluated, the normal eruption process is first considered. A normal time period for third molars to erupt is between the ages of 16 and 25 years. Sometimes it is debatable whether the term impacted can be used or applied during this period. The teeth could still be in the process of erupting and just have not reached their final position.
Symptoms of Wisdom Teeth Issues
Your impacted wisdom teeth might not be displaying any symptoms, and the way your dentist identifies the impaction is with x-rays. Impacted wisdom teeth can sometimes cause the following symptoms:
- Swelling, usually in the gums or the jaw.
- You are experiencing jaw pain.
- Your gums start to bleeding.
- You develop persistent bad breath.
- You have noticed a difficulty opening your mouth.
- An unpleasant taste in your mouth has developed.
Treatments for Wisdom Teeth Removal
If your impacted wisdom teeth have displayed any of these symptoms, you should consider having them removed. Here are six different ways that your wisdom teeth can be impacted. These are:
- Mesial impaction- This is the most common impaction when the tooth is angled too far.
- Vertical impaction- With this type of impaction the teeth come in straight, but there is just not enough room in the arch to allow eruption.
- Horizontal impaction- This impaction is the result of the teeth being horizontally impacted, lying on their side.
- Distal impaction- Distally impacted teeth is when the teeth are tilted towards the back of your mouth.
- Soft tissue impaction- This is when the tooth has actually erupted through the gum.
- Bony impaction- This is when the tooth is still partially in the jawbone but yet has emerged through the gum.
There are a variety of issues that can be the result of impacted wisdom teeth. These can include damage to your other teeth, pain, gum infections, tooth decay, and cysts. If your wisdom teeth are impacted and you have any of these signs, then you should consider getting them removed. If your impacted wisdom teeth are not causing you any issues, then you might not need to get them removed.
Your dentist is trained and experienced in the removal of problematic impacted wisdom teeth. With a regular oral examination and x-rays, your dentist can evaluate the location of your wisdom teeth and recommend if they should be removed.
In the case where your impacted wisdom teeth need to be removed, your dentist will explain the entire process with you before the procedure begins. You will be treated for your personal requirements, and the treatment is completed with minimal discomfort.