What Is an Impacted Wisdom Tooth?

The third molars, which people also refer to as wisdom teeth, are the last teeth to develop in an individual. Usually, they emerge in the late teenage years or early twenties; however, some people may develop issues if these teeth do not emerge as they should. An impacted wisdom tooth is one such complication which if not treated may lead to a range of other complications in the dental field. In this article, you will learn what impacted wisdom teeth are, the signs, contributors, and the management of the condition.

Understanding Wisdom Teeth

Now, let’s look a bit closer at what wisdom teeth are and their position in the dental structure before delving into impacted ones.

Definition and Function of Wisdom Teeth

Third molars or the wisdom teeth as they are commonly known are the last set of molars that erupt past the age of eighteen in most individuals. It is found at the posterior part of the mouth and consists of two teeth at the upper jaw as well as two at the lower jaw. The primary job of the third molars or the wisdom teeth is to assist in the process of mastication or chewing and grinding food substances. However, in today’s generation, their functions are regarded as rudimentary organs resulting from changes in human diet as well as the size of jaws.

Typical Age of Eruption

Wisdom teeth usually emerge between the ages of 17 and 25. It is possible that a person may not even have a single wisdom tooth while another person may have all the four. Occasionally, wisdom teeth may come through the gum without any complication, but for many people, the teeth may partially emerge or grow in the wrong position.

What Does It Mean When a Wisdom Tooth Is Impacted?

An impacted wisdom tooth is one that either did not have the chance to erupt or only had a chance to partially erupt through the gum line. This may cause many dental issues and may call for the attention of a dentist or a dental expert.

Definition of an Impacted Wisdom Tooth

An impacted wisdom tooth is one that cannot break through the gum as there is not enough space in the jaw to do so. In that case, the tooth may develop in an improper position either oriented in a different direction from the rest of the teeth, enclosed under the gum, or even come out only partially. The affected wisdom teeth may lead to pains, swelling and other complications that may arise from their development.

Types of Impactions

There are several types of impacted wisdom teeth, classified based on their position and angle of growth:

Mesial Impaction: The tooth is angled forward, towards the front of the mouth.
Distal Impaction: The tooth is slanted towards the throat.
Vertical Impaction: The tooth is inclined towards the vertical plane though still enshrouded by the gum line.
Horizontal Impaction: The tooth is lying entirely horizontally, which means that it is growing in the direction perpendicular to the other teeth.

Causes of Impacted Wisdom Teeth

There are several causes which could lead to the impacted state of wisdom teeth. Now let’s take a look at the most frequent reasons.

Lack of Space in the Jaw

The main cause of impacted wisdom teeth is the lack of sufficient space for the teeth in the jaws. Man’s jaws have become smaller over the years and in most cases, there is inadequate space for the eruption of the third molars. When there is little room available, the third molars, called the wisdom teeth, erupt abnormally—partially or fully embedded in the gum and bone.

Abnormal Tooth Angulation

It is also possible to have an impacted wisdom tooth even if the third molars are not crowded to the point of overlapping in the jaw. This creates pressure which leads to Impaction whereby the wisdom teeth will push against the other teeth causing pains, crowding and other dental problems.

Symptoms of an Impacted Wisdom Tooth

There are various symptoms that are associated with impacted wisdom teeth and sometimes one or more of them may be more prominent than the other. Below are those common symptoms showing that one is suffering from impacted wisdom tooth.

Pain and Swelling

Pain and swelling are some of the most evident signs and indicators of an impacted wisdom tooth situation. This discomfort may be experienced chronically or sporadically and is surrounded by a gradation of intensity from mild to severe. It intensifies when biting or chewing and may be referred to the adjacent teeth, the jaw, or even the ear on the involved side.

Gum Infection (Pericoronitis)

The pressure exerted by these teeth can cause intolerable pain and discomfort and can lead to a localized gum infection known as pericoronitis because the flap of gum covering the impacted third molar traps food and germs. The signs of pericoronitis are red, swollen, and sore gums around the involved tooth, trismus — difficulty in opening the mouth, and dysphagia — having problems swallowing.

Bad Breath and Unpleasant Taste

When a wisdom tooth is affected by gum infection, it leads to formation of bad breath commonly known as halitosis, and unpleasant taste in the mouth. This is caused by the microorganisms build up around the partially erupted tooth and may not be easily dislodged through regular brushing.

Potential Complications of Untreated Impacted Wisdom Teeth

When wisdom teeth are left unaddressed, you may experience various consequences that can be dangerous to your oral health. Now let’s explore some of the more serious risks of untreated impacted wisdom teeth.

Damage to Adjacent Teeth

Endangered wisdom teeth exert some pressure on neighboring teeth, which leads to deterioration factors such as tooth decay, gum diseases, and even tooth loss. When a certain tooth is twisted to grow in the wrong angle, it will exert some pressure on the second molar, which will cause the neighboring teeth to become misaligned and cramped.

Cyst Formation

There are times that the wisdom teeth may cause cysts to form in the mouth as well. A cyst is a pocket of fluid that develops around the crown of the impacted tooth, surrounding the root surface. The cysts can act in a pathological way and extend to the jawbone and adjacent teeth and nerves when fully grown. However, in certain cases if this growth is not treated it can result in the formation of a tumor which demands a far more serious treatment procedure.

Tooth Decay and Gum Disease

Germs find it easy to breed in the cavities that are formed by the partially erupted wisdom teeth and these teeth are also very tough to clean. This makes the chances of developing cavities and other gum diseases higher, not only to the wisdom tooth but also the other related teeth as well. To avoid such complications and be able to detect impacted wisdom teeth at an early stage, one should visit a dentist for check-ups and cleaning of their teeth periodically.

Diagnosis and Treatment Options

You should visit your dental practitioner for the correct diagnosis in case you have believed that you have an impacted wisdom tooth.

Dental Examination and Imaging

Your dentist will conduct an oral exam and take intraoral pics, an OPG or a panoramic X-ray, or even a CT scan to determine the position of the impacted wisdom tooth. This imaging also helps in the decision-making process about the appropriate treatment that the patient needs and whether the patient has any complications.

Treatment Approaches

Like any other condition, the management of impacted wisdom teeth determines the degree of impaction and the symptoms or complications that may be present. The most frequent approach is to surgically remove the impacted tooth, the most common type being the third molar. Sometimes, your dentist may advise that the impacted tooth is left in the mouth and its progress is followed from time to time in case something happens to change on the impacted tooth.

Preventing Complications from Impacted Wisdom Teeth

Although not all the affected wisdom teeth can be avoided, you can take measures to reduce the likelihood of their complications and early treatment.

Importance of Regular Dental Check-Ups

It is important to practice good nutrition and hygiene and go for dental check-ups in order to avoid complications arising from impacted wisdom teeth. When you visit your dentist, be sure that he or she checks your mouth, takes X-rays when needed and observes the progress of your wisdom teeth.

Early Assessment and Monitoring

If the dentist believes that your wisdom teeth may in future become impacted, they may advise you to see a dentist for checkups. This is done through periodic radiographic assessments to determine the development and orientation of the third molars so that appropriate management can be instituted in the event it is warranted. There are instances where your dentist will advise that you have your wisdom teeth pulled out as a preventative measure.

Why Choose Crystalline Dental for Wisdom Tooth Care in Vaughan?

At Crystalline Dental, we fully comprehend the ramifications of improper treatment of wisdom teeth and will ensure that our clients have access to the best dental services.

Experienced Dental Team

Impacted wisdom teeth and any complications arising from it are well handled by our team of dentists and oral surgeons with adequate experience. To ensure that the patient gets the best services, we ensure we have the latest technology and techniques in the dental field.

State-of-the-Art Technology

Crystalline Dental believes that technological advancement improves the efficacy of our treatments by making them precise. We leverage technology, be it the traditional methods like X-ray, advanced digital technology such as 3D imaging in order to ascertain that we deal with impacted wisdom teeth efficiently and in a professional manner.

Patient-Centered Approach

We respect patient’s needs and do our best to meet their expectations regarding their condition treatment. Our service minded and well-informed personnel will always listen to your concerns, answer any questions you might have and help you come up with an individualized care plan that suits your particular preferences.

Contact Us for a Consultation

If you are having pain from an impacted wisdom tooth or would like to arrange an appointment with one of the specialist dentists at Crystalline Dental, please do not hesitate to call us. It’s our pleasure to assist you in guarding your teeth and getting back the health and appearance of a smile you have always dreamt of.

Although some of the affected wisdom teeth may not have problems initially, they may develop numerous problems in future if left unattended. It is for these reasons that the following complications may occur: pain, infection, damage to other teeth and formation of cysts. The best thing you need to do is seek advice from your dentist so that he can recommend the best course of action to take in your particular situation.

In the present world where advanced dental procedures are being developed, extracting a wisdom tooth is a very comfortable process with the use of anesthesia. Your dentist will inject local anesthesia to the area around the tooth to make sure that you are not very much uncomfortable when he or she is removing the tooth. There will be some redness and soreness where the treatment was given – this will go away quickly and there will be no need for painkillers, but an ice pack can be helpful.

The cost of having your wisdom teeth removed in Vaughan may differ because of some factors which include the difficulty level of the case, number of teeth to be removed and insurance.