An impacted tooth is a condition where a tooth fails to grow (erupt) from the gums. This condition typically occurs due to overcrowding or lack of space in the jaw. Most often, the third molars/ wisdom teeth (particularly the lower ones) are the last ones to erupt and hence, are more likely to become impacted. Impacted teeth can also occur due to difficulty in cleaning, decay in an adjacent tooth, or gum disease. Sometimes, genetics can also be a significant reason for the occurrence of an impacted tooth.
Signs and symptoms of tooth impaction
While in some cases people may experience minor symptoms or discomfort, an impacted tooth may cause:
- Red, bleeding, or swollen gums
- Bad breath
- Difficulty in opening your mouth
- A bad taste in your mouth
- Pain while opening, chewing, or biting
How are impacted teeth treated?
Depending on the extremity of the case, fixing impacted teeth can range from relatively simple to complex procedures. For instance, sometimes extracting a baby tooth is necessary to make room for a permanent tooth to erupt in a proper place. However, if the upper jaw is too confined, your dental surgeon may feel the need to expand the jaw for creating more space for the permanent teeth to erupt in the correct position.
Moreover, some other problems may require a conjunction of both orthodontic and oral surgery to place an attachment on the impacted tooth and allow the eruption of the tooth in its appropriate position.
Pain management for impacted teeth
You can consider trying any of the following effective home remedies for mild to moderate toothache. However, it is advisable to consult your dental surgeon if you experience constant or severe pain to prevent the risk of infection.
- If you are suffering from extreme pain due to your impacted tooth, consider using an over-the-counter pain medication such as Aspirin for some relief. However, it is not recommended to give Aspirin to children below 18 years as it can increase their risk of developing severe conditions like Reye’s syndrome.
- Ice is an effective remedy to reduce inflammation. You can also try swishing warm salt water around your mouth to relieve your pain.
Complications associated with impacted teeth
Impacted teeth are harder to clean as they do not break through the gums properly. This puts them at a comparatively higher risk for dental infections including:
- Decay and cavities
- Bacterial Infections
- Crowding of the nearby teeth
- Cysts and gum disease (which can destroy the bones or damage the roots of nearby teeth)
- Absorption of bone or adjacent teeth
About us
If you need a reliable dental surgeon who can offer you the best tooth replacement solutions, we are here to help. At Premier Oral Surgery, we aim to extend high-tech, comprehensive oral care to our patients. We have significant experience in numerous dental and maxillofacial surgeries and treatments, including bone grafts, wisdom teeth removal, dental implants, and IV sedation. Our highly experienced staff comprises CPR-certified dental and maxillofacial surgical attendants. For further queries, you can leave us a message or call us at 203-939-9390. You can also get in touch by email at info@premieroralsurgeryct.com.