 Show You may have heard this term the first time you or a friend got your wisdom teeth. That makes sense, as wisdom teeth are the teeth most often impacted in teenagers and young adults. But other permanent teeth can be impacted as well. What exactly do we mean by “impacted teeth,” and what can we do to treat them? The term “impacted” means that somehow a tooth has been blocked from erupting properly. A tooth may be completely blocked by another tooth, erupt in the wrong space, or even come in from the wrong direction. Depending on the teeth involved, there are several different options for treatment. From Baby Teeth to Permanent Teeth Normally, when children lose a baby tooth, a permanent tooth is right there, ready to take its place. But teeth don’t always behave according to plan. Occasionally, that baby tooth just won’t budge, and the permanent tooth starts to erupt behind it. When this happens, a simple baby tooth extraction will often let the permanent tooth move into its proper position on schedule. A more complicated situation develops when upper teeth are impacted because there isn’t enough space in the mouth for them. In this case, a device called a palatal expander might be used to gradually widen the upper jaw to allow the permanent teeth to erupt without crowding. In other rare cases, a tooth (often the canine) fails to erupt and may require oral surgery to uncover it, followed by orthodontic treatment to guide it into position. Impacted teeth can result from other causes as well, and every impacted tooth should be treated as quickly as possible. Left untreated, the teeth can fail to erupt at all or erupt in the wrong place, crowd other permanent teeth, damage the roots of the teeth near them, and lead to difficulties eating and dental pain. Wisdom teeth Wisdom teeth are often a problem because there is simply not enough room in the jaw for them. Wisdom teeth that are completely impacted (still in the jawbone) can sometimes be left alone if they aren’t causing other problems. But if impacted wisdom teeth develop cysts, affect the teeth around them, or lead to other dental complications, they should be extracted. Partially erupted teeth, those that have begun to emerge through the gums but don’t erupt fully, can be the source of different gum and tooth problems. Because the gum tissue overlaps the tooth, food particles and bacteria can become trapped, leading to rapid tooth decay and even infection. In this case, extraction is probably the best option. Be Proactive The term “impacted” actually comes from the Latin root meaning “pushed against.” But teeth that don’t erupt at the right time, in the right place, can have a different kind of impact on dental health and appearance. And the earlier we can catch these problems, the easier it is to treat them. Regular exams and X-rays with Dr. Robin E. Lents at our Florence office will show the progress of the teeth even before they erupt, and if there will be the space for them to fit in the mouth properly. We may recommend a visit to the orthodontist by the age of seven to see if there are any signs of potential orthodontic problems. Intervention at an early stage can prevent potential problems from becoming major ones. That is why it’s so important to be proactive when teeth are erupting in children and young adults. After all, a healthy, confident smile makes a real impact! Medically Reviewed by Dan Brennan, MD on April 30, 2021 Wisdom teeth typically affect young people between the ages of 17 and 25. A wisdom tooth is a third molar in the
back of the mouth. Some people have no issues when their third set of molars appears. Your wisdom teeth can get trapped if there is not enough space in your mouth for them. Tooth impaction is a condition where the third set of molars only comes through halfway or fails to emerge at all. Impacted teeth stay embedded in your gum tissue or bone longer than they should. Overcrowding is
usually the issue. Your wisdom teeth can also become impacted if they come in at a twisted angle or shift. You may be at risk for tooth impaction because of genetics or from not getting proper orthodontic treatment in time. Be aware that any of your teeth can become impacted. Children can have issues with the development of their permanent teeth. That often happens if the baby teeth do not fall out
or when a cyst or other growth blocks the permanent tooth’s path. The tooth may push out in the wrong place. Tooth impaction in children can lead to problems with the roots of other teeth. A child can end up with crowding or have teeth in positions that make it hard for them to chew. Impacted teeth can
be extremely painful. The cosmetic effect of tooth impaction can also lead to issues with self-esteem. It’s often easier for orthodontists to correct issues in children. That is why orthodontists recommend having children evaluated for potential issues by age 7. Some people never experience discomfort from impacted wisdom teeth. This means they do not know when there is a problem. But you may notice the
appearance of your teeth change because the tooth impaction affects the rest of your mouth. Your dentist may be the first to alert you to possible issues with tooth impaction. They track the progression of the impacted teeth to determine the severity of the issue. Some of the things they look for include: Tooth impaction can lead to symptoms like:
X-rays. Dentists typically conduct x-rays to see how severe your tooth impaction is. They will also ask you questions about the history of your symptoms and how they impact your daily life. Your dentist may decide that further treatment is unnecessary if the teeth are upright and functional and you’re not experiencing pain or discomfort. Extraction. Your dentist may recommend having wisdom teeth
removed if they are impacted and causing pain or other issues with your oral health and hygiene. If your wisdom teeth initially came in fine but start to decay, you may need them removed. You may experience some complications after having surgery for impacted teeth, including: Make sure you understand all
your options when it comes to dealing with tooth impaction. You’ll have to balance the consequences of keeping your wisdom teeth with the risks of having tooth impaction surgery. You should continue visiting your dentist regularly to track the health of your teeth. Remember that having surgery when you are younger will make it simpler for a dentist to extract an impacted tooth. How do you fix an impacted tooth?Eruption aids may include braces, brackets, or by extracting baby or adult teeth that may be blocking the canines. These methods are most effective when performed on younger people. If eruption can't be achieved, then the impacted tooth will need to be removed and replaced with a dental implant or bridge.
Is it OK to leave an impacted tooth?Your wisdom teeth don't usually need to be removed if they're impacted but aren't causing any problems. This is because there's no proven benefit of doing this and it carries the risk of complications.
What will happens if the impacted tooth is not removed?Impacted wisdom teeth can be very painful and may be prone to abscess and infection. The impaction can lead to decay and resorption of healthy teeth. On occasion, if wisdom teeth are not monitored properly, their growth can shift parallel to the jaw line.
Whats an impacted tooth look like?Partly exposed impacted teeth may look like they are actually sinking into the gums. Other signs of an impacted tooth include: gum bleeding or redness, jaw pain or headaches, decay to neighboring teeth, bad breath or a sour taste in the mouth, or inflammation in the mouth.
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What does it mean when a tooth is impacted
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