Description

The wisdom teeth, the third molars in the back of the mouth, are the last adult teeth to come in. Most people have four wisdom teeth — two on top and two on the bottom. When wisdom teeth become impacted, they don't have enough room to emerge or develop in the usual way.

Impacted wisdom teeth can cause pain, damage to other teeth and cause other dental problems. Sometimes it does not cause any problem. But due to the wisdom teeth are difficult to clean, can be more prone to tooth decay and gum disease than other teeth.

Impacted wisdom teeth that cause pain or other dental problems are generally carried out. Some dentists and oral surgeons also it is recommended to remove impacted wisdom teeth that do not cause symptoms, to prevent future problems.

Symptoms

Impacted wisdom teeth don't always cause symptoms. But when an impacted wisdom tooth becomes infected, damages other teeth or causes other dental problems, you may have some of these symptoms:

  • Red or swollen gums.
  • Tender or bleeding gums.
  • Pain in the jaw.
  • Swelling around the jaw.
  • The bad breath.
  • An unpleasant taste in the mouth.
  • A hard time opening his mouth.

When to see a doctor

See your dentist if you have symptoms in the area behind the last molar, which may be related to an impacted wisdom tooth.

Causes

The wisdom teeth become impacted because they do not have enough space to enter and develop in the usual way.

Wisdom teeth often emerge in some time between the ages of 17 and 26. Some people have wisdom teeth that emerge behind the second molars without any kind of problems and are aligned with the other teeth. But in many cases, the mouth is too full for the proper development of the third molars. These full of people, the third molars to be affected.

An impacted wisdom tooth may be partially emerge, so that some of the crown is visible. This is called a partially impacted wisdom teeth. If the tooth never breaks through the gums, which is called a totally impacted wisdom tooth.

Either partially or completely impacted, the tooth you can:

  • Grow at an angle toward the side of the tooth, which is the second molar.
  • Grow at an angle toward the back of the mouth.
  • Grow at a right angle to the other teeth, as if the wisdom tooth is "lying" in the bone of the jaw.
  • Grow up or down, as with the other teeth, but are trapped within the jaw.

Risk factors

The risk factors that can lead to impacted wisdom teeth, which include the lack of space, or a lock that keeps the teeth of the emerging correctly.

Complications

Impacted wisdom teeth can cause various problems in the mouth, including:

  • The damage to the other teeth. If the wisdom tooth pushes against the second molar, it can damage the second molar or increase the risk of infection in that area. This pressure can also cause problems with crowding of the other teeth, or need an orthodontic treatment to straighten other teeth.
  • Cysts. The wisdom teeth to develop in sacs within the jaw. The sacs may fill with fluid, the formation of cysts that can cause damage to the bone of the jaw, teeth, and nerves. In rare cases, a tumor develops. This type of tumor is usually benign, also called benign. But the tissue and the bone may be necessary due to this problem.
  • The decay. Partially impacted wisdom teeth appear to be at higher risk of caries compared toother teeth. This is because the position of the wisdom teeth when they are impacted, makes them difficult to clean. Also, food and bacteria can get trapped easily between the gum and a tooth partially erupted.
  • The disease of the gums. It is difficult to clean impacted, partially erupted wisdom teeth. So you're more likely to get a painful, inflammatory gum disease, called pericoronitis (per-ih-kor-o-NI-tis) in those areas.

Prevention

You can't keep an impaction from occurring. But maintaining regular six-month dental appointments for cleanings and check-ups allow your dentist to see the growth and the emergence of wisdom teeth. Regularly updated dental x-rays may show impacted wisdom teeth before any onset of symptoms.

Diagnosis

Your dentist or oral surgeon may see on the teeth and the mouth to see if you have impacted wisdom teeth or other condition that could be causing your symptoms. These tests include:

  • Questions about your symptoms and oral health in general.
  • Checks the condition of your teeth and gums.
  • Dental X-rays that can show the impacted teeth, as well as symptoms of damage to the teeth or bones.

Treatment

If your impacted wisdom teeth are difficult to treat, or if you have medical conditions that may increase the risks of surgery, your dentist will likely ask you to go to an oral surgeon. The oral surgeon can discuss with you the best course of action.

The management of wisdom teeth without symptoms

Dental specialists disagree about whether to remove impacted wisdom teeth that are not causing symptoms. These are the so-called asymptomatic wisdom teeth. Many dental specialists recommend removing asymptomatic wisdom teeth in the late teens to the early twenties, as the risk of complications is low and the procedure is generally safe and well tolerated by most young people.

Some dentists and oral surgeons recommend removing the wisdom teeth, even if they are not causing problems to avoid potential problems in the future. They say:

  • Symptoms of wisdom teeth may not be free of the disease.
  • If there is not enough space for the teeth to come in, it is often difficult to reach them and clean them properly.
  • Serious problems with their wisdom teeth occur less frequently in young adults.
  • The procedure is more difficult with age and more likely to cause problems later.

Other dentists and oral surgeons recommend a more conservative approach. Note that:

  • There is not enough evidence to suggest that the impacted wisdom teeth that are not causing problems in adulthood is going to cause problems later on.
  • The costs and risks of the procedure does not justify the expected profit.

With a conservative approach, your dentist watches of the teeth for decay, gum disease or other problems. Your dentist may recommend that you take a tooth if problems arise.

Surgery to remove wisdom teeth

Impacted wisdom teeth that cause pain or other dental problems are usually taken out with surgery, also known as extraction. The extraction of a wisdom tooth is usually necessary for:

  • The infection or gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, the involvement of the wisdom teeth.
  • Dental caries in the partially erupted wisdom teeth.
  • Cysts or tumors involving wisdom teeth.
  • The teeth of the wisdom that the damage to the adjacent teeth.
  • Detention of problems in the future.

The extraction is mostly done as an outpatient procedure, so you will likely go home the same day. The process includes:

  • Sedation or anesthesia. You may have local anesthesia, which numbs the mouth. You can also have the sedation anesthesia, which reduces your awareness. Or you may be under general anesthesia, which makes him go to sleep.
  • The extraction of a tooth. During the extraction, your dentist or oral surgeon makes a cut in the gum and carries out any bone that blocks access to the impacted tooth root. After removing the tooth, the dentist or oral surgeon usually the wound is closed.

Extractions of wisdom teeth can cause a bit of pain and bleeding, as well as the swelling of the site or the jaw. Some people have difficulty to open the mouth wide for a short period of time due to the swelling of the muscles of the jaw. You will receive instructions on how to take care of the wounds and treat the pain and inflammation, such as taking the pain medication and the use of cold compresses to reduce swelling.

Much less commonly, some people may have:

  • Dry socket-painful, that is the exposure of the bone if a blood clot does not form or out of the socket after the surgery.
  • The infection in the socket from bacteria or food particles trapped.
  • The damage to the adjacent teeth, the nerves, the jaw or the sinuses.

Coping and support

The need to have a tooth taken out it can make you feel worried or anxious, but delaying care can lead to serious and lasting problems. It is important to speak with your dentist about your concerns. It is common to be very nervous. This is nothing to be ashamed of. Ask your dentist for ways to ease your anxiety and discomfort.

Many dentists offer ways to relieve nervousness or anxiety, such as listening to music or watching videos. You may be able to carry along with the support of a family member or friend. You can also learn relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and imagery. If you have severe anxiety, it is likely that you will be referred to an oral surgeon. An oral surgeon can provide medication, or sedative techniques that can reduce your level of anxiety and allow the procedure to be completed in a more comfortable and safe.

Preparing for your appointment

If you are having symptoms or other dental problems that may suggest an impacted wisdom tooth, see your dentist as soon as possible. Your dentist may ask you these questions:

  • What are the symptoms?
  • When did your symptoms begin?
  • Does anything make the symptoms worse, such as chewing toward the back of your mouth?
  • Have you noticed any bleeding while brushing or flossing your teeth?
  • How do you usually clean your teeth?
Symptoms and treatment of Impacted wisdom teeth