Impacted Wisdom Teeth: Causes, Treatment, and More!
Third molars, or wisdom teeth, appear in the back of the mouth when teens or young adults are around. They are impacted if stuck under gums and deprived of oral care. Impacted wisdom teeth are susceptible to decay, disease, and other dental problems. About ten million wisdom teeth are removed each year.
If you are experiencing recurring toothaches and suspect that you may have an impacted wisdom tooth, this article is for you. Here, you will learn more about causes, treatment options, and more about impacted wisdom teeth.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth: Causes, Treatment, and More!
The most common symptom of impacted wisdom teeth is pain. The pain can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the degree of impaction. The pain can also be triggered by certain actions and activities such as eating, talking, and opening the mouth.
Interestingly, not everyone experiences toothaches due to impacted wisdom teeth. A prior infection can also cause dentinal hypersensitivity and toothaches. Dental pain, swelling, jaw pain, and facial pain in the area of impacted wisdom teeth are common symptoms.
What causes impacted wisdom teeth?
Impacted wisdom teeth are caused by the positioning of the teeth. They are positioned in such a way that they are unable to come out of the mouth and cause pain. A tooth that is positioned outside the mouth can be easily taken out by a dentist. This is not the case with impacted wisdom teeth.
Besides the lack of space and the gum tissues hindering their emergence, the impaction of wisdom teeth is often caused by the development of the mouth. The mouth is not the same size as when an individual is born. This happens because the jaw expands and grows during childhood. In many cases, the jaw cannot accommodate all the wisdom teeth.
What are the treatment options?
The best treatment option for impacted teeth is the extraction of the tooth. Non-surgical approaches are not recommended for impacted wisdom teeth. This is because surgery is a permanent solution.
When a tooth is removed, the gum tissues repair themselves. The surgery also works in a way that the area where the tooth was removed does not develop a lot of plaque and tartar. Besides, the surgery improves the chances of teeth movements.
The best time for the extraction of impacted wisdom teeth is between the ages of 16 and 18. This is when the teeth are not fully developed. The surgery to remove impacted wisdom teeth is usually done in the clinic, but a simple procedure can be done in the dentist’s office.
Does wisdom tooth removal hurt?
Wisdom tooth removal may hurt when a patient has sensitive teeth. In some cases, teeth that have no problem with sensitivity may hurt. This is because the removal of a wisdom tooth involves ligatures and sutures that help to stop the bleeding.
How long does the healing process take?
The healing process takes longer than the healing process of a normal tooth. The wisdom tooth must heal and fuse to the jaw bone after it is removed. The healing period takes about three to six months.
If the jaw bone is inflamed, it may take longer to heal. In some cases, the inflammation in the jaw bone may require antibiotic treatment. It is important to practice good oral hygiene and also remain on antibiotics for a long period. This can help to control the inflammation of the jaw.
Conclusion
It is essential to know the symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth, causes, and treatment options. Are you experiencing wisdom tooth pain, jaw pain, and swelling? If the symptoms are experienced for more than two to three weeks, contact your dentist. It is important to be on time for your appointment to have the wisdom tooth removed.
Should you need wisdom tooth extraction surgery, come to G-Dental32. We offer general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, oral surgery, sedation dentistry, and other procedures to help you reach peak oral health. Make an appointment with us today!
