Illinois Dental Implants

Impacted Wisdom Teeth Can Cause Tooth Pain and Dental Problems

Impacted wisdom teeth can be a serious threat to good dental health. Wisdom tooth impaction happens when the developing tooth doesn't come in straight.

An impacted wisdom tooth might never even erupt -- that is, break through the gums. If there is not enough room in the patient's mouth for the new molar, the tooth has no place to go, leading it to push against other teeth or tissues.

Impacted teeth can cause serious tooth pain, face or jaw pain, even headaches. They can lead to orthodontic problems, as other teeth move around to try to make room for them. Crooked teeth, in turn, leave a person more vulnerable to other dental problems.

Teeth impaction is classified either as a soft impaction (when the new tooth is still developing) or a bony impaction (when the developing tooth has begun to harden). Wisdom tooth removal is far easier when it is done earlier rather than later; bony impactions can sometimes require difficult wisdom tooth surgery.

During general dental check-ups, the dentist will monitor the development of a teen's wisdom teeth. If the teeth become impacted, the dentist will suggest wisdom tooth extraction. Patients in the most difficult situations will need to be referred to or to find a wisdom tooth dentist or oral surgeon who can perform their wisdom tooth surgery.

Only a dentist can determine the state of a patient's wisdom teeth. Have the teeth started to develop? Are they heading towards impaction? Are they already impacted? With the help of an x-ray, your wisdom teeth dentist will be able to answer those questions - and suggest a course of treatment.

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.

Oral Surgery: The Wisdom Teeth Removal Procedure

Wisdom teeth, those third molars at the very back of our mouths, are so named because they generally erupt during late adolescence and early adulthood. When properly positioned they can be a valuable asset to us. When the jaw is not large enough to accommodate these wisdom teeth, they can cause dental problems, such as infection, requiring wisdom tooth removal.

Wisdom Teeth in Teens

Wisdom teeth usually appear in young adults between the ages of 15 and 25. Some wisdom teeth will grow in normally; others are "impacted." An impacted wisdom tooth allows no room for the rest of your teeth to grow. Dentists use X-rays to evaluate whether your wisdom teeth have any chance of coming in properly and can advise you on the best time to have wisdom tooth removal.

Why Are Wisdom Teeth Removed?

When there is no room for wisdom teeth to come in properly or when the teeth haven't reached their permanent location by age 25, then they're considered to be impacted wisdom teeth. Dentists recommend removing the tooth early, before wisdom tooth and other dental complications can develop.

Partially visible wisdom teeth are susceptible to bacteria that can cause wisdom tooth infection. Cysts and tumors can grow on a trapped wisdom tooth, causing irritation and some pain as well as diseases of the gums. Another problem occurs when the second molar, the last tooth before the wisdom tooth, is damaged as the wisdom tooth grows in without enough room.

The younger the patient, the easier the healing will be, which is another reason not to wait before removing impacted wisdom teeth. This oral surgery will be performed in the office of either a dentist or an oral surgeon, under anesthesia, providing patients with maximum comfort while keeping the procedure efficient and cost-effective. Local anesthetic (such as Novocain) is always used, but you may opt for additional comfort with nitrous oxide ("laughing gas"), IV sedation (twilight sleep) or deep sedation (general anesthesia.)

Wisdom Tooth Removal

An oral surgeon or your dentist can provide guidance whether you're a candidate for wisdom teeth removal (extraction). The bottom line is that wisdom teeth most often don't fit well in our mouths and they can cause other teeth to move or lead to gum disease or bone problems. Ask the dentist to make an evaluation and suggest the best course of action!

by Brian J. Gray, DDS, MAGD, FICO

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.