Wisdom teeth are molars that develop in the back of the mouth, usually in late teenage years. When adequate room is not available for the wisdom teeth to erupt, they become impacted or “stuck.” Left untreated, this can lead to infection, damage to other teeth and possibly cysts or tumors.
Impacted Wisdom Teeth
When there is insufficient room in the mouth for wisdom teeth removal Bowling Green KY to erupt they can become partially or fully impacted. An impacted tooth can cause problems including:
Pain and Discomfort. This usually comes and goes and may affect only one side of the mouth. Gum Swelling. This can be due to infection or it can result from food getting stuck around an impacted tooth. Bad Breath (Halitosis) and a Nasty Taste in the Mouth. This is due to bacteria and food getting trapped under the gum tissue. Damage to Neighbouring Teeth. This can include tooth decay, damage to the second molars and possible bone loss.
There are several types of impacted wisdom teeth. A vertical impaction is when the wisdom tooth is angled upwards and is pushing against the teeth in front of it. Mesial impaction is when the wisdom tooth is angling towards the front of the mouth and it is bumping into the molar in front of it.
Impacted Third Molars
Most people need their wisdom teeth removal Bowling Green KY because they don’t have enough space for them to grow in properly. They also tend to come in at an angle and can damage the jawbone or other teeth. This is called impaction.
Impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain and problems with chewing and cleaning. They can also cause infection and cysts or tumors.
Most dentists recommend having impacted wisdom teeth removed if they are painful or have an unpleasant taste. However, some dentists and oral surgeons remove impacted wisdom teeth even if they don’t cause symptoms to prevent future problems. Regular dental appointments and updated X-rays can help keep track of the development of your wisdom teeth. These exams can detect impacted third molars before they cause any problems. They are usually removed in the late teenage years or early twenties. The molars can then be replaced later with implants. Keeping up with these visits will help your mouth remain healthy and free of infections.
Tooth Crowding
It has been theorized that impacted wisdom teeth can crowd or twist other molars, causing them to become crowded or misaligned. While this has never been proven, it is a reason for many people to have their wisdom teeth removed.
The wisdom teeth, also called third molars, usually erupt in late teens or early twenties. In many cases, inadequate space in the mouth does not allow wisdom teeth to erupt properly, leading to impaction. The most common problem with impacted wisdom teeth is infection. If left untreated, infections can lead to tooth decay, damage to the second molars (the teeth directly in front of your wisdom teeth), gum disease, cysts, and tumors. For these reasons, we recommend a complete evaluation of your wisdom teeth and surrounding molars. X-rays are typically used to evaluate the position of your wisdom teeth removal Bowling Green KY and help identify any potential problems. Early evaluation and treatment, typically in your mid-teen years, is recommended to minimize surgical risks.
Jaw Pain
Leaving wisdom teeth in the mouth can cause several problems, including pain and swelling. This occurs because the third molars often have inadequate room to emerge fully, and they become stuck in an undesirable or harmful position. Impacted wisdom teeth can also contribute to tooth decay, crowding, or infection.
If you have any of these issues, it’s important to recognize them early and take prompt action to minimize future complications. Recognizing signs of impacted wisdom teeth, including pain or tenderness in your jaw, difficulty opening your mouth, bad breath (halitosis), and/or swollen gums is a good indicator that you need to have them removed.
Our team will perform your extraction under local anesthesia, laughing gas (nitrous oxide/oxygen analgesia) or general anesthesia if necessary. Afterwards, we will place some dry gauze in your mouth to control bleeding. To help prevent infection, please avoid sucking on the area and eat soft foods. You may also want to put some ice on the area for the first day.
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