What is an impacted tooth?
An impacted tooth is a tooth that is unable to fully erupt into your mouth as expected because something is preventing it from coming in. Oftentimes, this can be a wisdom tooth, but it can be other teeth as well.
A tooth can become impacted because of its position, a lack of space, surrounding bone, another tooth, or other factors. In the case of an impacted wisdom tooth, there may simply not be enough room in the jaw for it to erupt normally.
What are the symptoms of an impacted tooth?
Oftentimes, there are no symptoms from an impacted tooth. If it's completely underneath the gums or bone, you may not know it's there without a dental examination and X-rays.
If part of the tooth has erupted but it can't come in all the way, you may experience symptoms such as swelling, tenderness, pain in the area, difficulty cleaning around the tooth, or discomfort when biting. Symptoms can come and go, which is why it's important to have the area evaluated.
Can an impacted tooth affect your health?
An impacted tooth can sometimes cause problems with your oral health. A partially erupted wisdom tooth, for example, can create an area that's difficult to keep clean and may increase the risk of inflammation or infection around the tooth.
Impacted teeth can also sometimes contribute to decay, gum problems, or damage involving a neighboring tooth. More serious infections are possible but aren't inevitable simply because a tooth is impacted.
If you have pain, swelling, or another concern around an impacted tooth, come in so we can evaluate what's happening.
What is the difference between a partially and completely impacted tooth?
A partially erupted or partially impacted tooth has emerged to some degree but hasn't fully erupted into its expected position. A completely impacted tooth remains covered by gum tissue or may also be surrounded by bone.
If an impacted tooth needs to be removed, the surgical approach depends on its position and how much gum or bone covers it. In some cases, we need to make an incision, remove a small amount of surrounding bone, or section the tooth into pieces to remove it safely.
How is an impacted wisdom tooth diagnosed?
An impacted wisdom tooth is diagnosed through a dental examination and appropriate imaging. A panoramic X-ray is commonly used because it gives us a broad view of the wisdom teeth, jaws, and nearby structures.
In selected cases, we may recommend a CBCT scan when three-dimensional information is needed, such as when we need a closer look at the relationship between a lower wisdom tooth and the nearby nerve canal.
We'll evaluate where the tooth is located, how it's positioned, whether there's enough room for eruption, and whether it's causing or is likely to contribute to dental problems.
What are the treatment options for impacted wisdom teeth?
Treatment depends on the individual wisdom tooth. If an impacted tooth is healthy, isn't causing problems, and doesn't have another clinical reason for removal, monitoring may sometimes be appropriate.
If the wisdom tooth is causing disease or other problems, removal may be recommended. Another option in selected lower wisdom teeth is a procedure called a coronectomy. During a coronectomy, the crown of the tooth is removed while the roots are intentionally left in place.
This may be considered when removing the roots would carry an increased risk of injury to the nearby inferior alveolar nerve. A coronectomy isn't appropriate for every impacted wisdom tooth, so we need to evaluate the individual case.
How is an impacted wisdom tooth removed?
When we remove an impacted wisdom tooth, we first use appropriate anesthesia to keep you comfortable. Sedation may also be an option depending on your health, treatment needs, preferences, and the services available.
Depending on the position of the tooth, we may make an incision in the gum and remove some of the surrounding bone. In some cases, we'll section the wisdom tooth into two or more pieces so it can be removed more conservatively.
How much does it cost to remove an impacted wisdom tooth?
The cost varies depending on the type and complexity of the impaction, the procedure required, whether sedation is used, and other individual treatment factors. Dental insurance may provide some coverage depending on your plan.
After we evaluate the tooth and determine what treatment is needed, we can provide an estimate and help you review your insurance benefits.
What is recovery like after wisdom tooth removal?
After wisdom tooth removal, it's normal to experience some temporary soreness and swelling. The amount varies depending on the complexity of the procedure, the number of teeth removed, and the individual patient.
Swelling often increases during the first few days before gradually improving. If stitches are used, they may be dissolvable or may need to be removed depending on the type.
We'll give you instructions for eating, oral hygiene, activity, and managing discomfort after the procedure. Contact us if you develop symptoms such as worsening swelling, uncontrolled bleeding, fever, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or pain that isn't improving as expected.
Can other teeth besides wisdom teeth be impacted?
Yes. Another tooth that can become impacted is a canine. Impacted permanent canines are often identified while we're monitoring dental development or planning orthodontic treatment.
Depending on the position of the canine and the available space, treatment may involve creating room orthodontically and surgically exposing the tooth so an orthodontist can gradually guide it into the dental arch. The appropriate treatment depends on the individual tooth and its position.
What is a horizontally impacted wisdom tooth?
A horizontally impacted wisdom tooth is positioned more sideways rather than upright in the jaw. Depending on its location, it may place the crown of the wisdom tooth close to the molar in front of it and can sometimes contribute to problems involving either tooth.
A horizontal position by itself doesn't automatically mean the tooth must be removed immediately. We evaluate whether it's causing disease, damaging the neighboring tooth, or creating another clinical reason for treatment before recommending removal.
At Matheson Dentistry & Implant Center, you come first. Whether you need dental care or simply have questions, call us at (480) 888-8123 or email [email protected] to schedule your visit. Our team is here to help you every step of the way.