Disease: Impacted wisdom teeth

    Overview

    Impacted wisdom teeth are third molars at the back of the mouth that don't have enough room to emerge or develop normally.

    Wisdom teeth are the last adult teeth to come into the mouth (erupt). Most people have four wisdom teeth at the back of the mouth — two on the top, two on the bottom.

    Impacted wisdom teeth can result in pain, damage to other teeth and other dental problems. In some cases, impacted wisdom teeth may cause no apparent or immediate problems. But because they're hard to clean, they may be more vulnerable to tooth decay and gum disease than other teeth are.

    Impacted wisdom teeth that cause pain or other dental complications are usually removed. Some dentists and oral surgeons also recommend removing impacted wisdom teeth that don't cause symptoms to prevent future problems.

    Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

    Symptoms

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

    • Red or swollen gums
    • Tender or bleeding gums
    • Jaw pain
    • Swelling around the jaw
    • Bad breath
    • An unpleasant taste in your mouth
    • Difficulty opening your mouth

    When to see a doctor

    See your dentist if you experience symptoms in the area behind your last molar that may be associated with an impacted wisdom tooth.

    Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

    Causes

    Wisdom teeth (third molars) become impacted because they don't have enough room to come in (erupt) or develop normally.

    Wisdom teeth usually emerge sometime between the ages of 17 and 25. Some people have wisdom teeth that emerge without any problems and line up with the other teeth behind the second molars. In many cases, however, the mouth is too crowded for third molars to develop normally. These crowded third molars become trapped (impacted).

    An impacted wisdom tooth may partially emerge so that some of the crown is visible (partially impacted), or it may never break through the gums (fully impacted). Whether partially or fully impacted, the tooth may:

    • Grow at an angle toward the next tooth (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 down" within the jawbone
    • Grow straight up or down like other teeth but stay trapped within the jawbone

    Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

    Diagnosis

    Your dentist or oral surgeon can evaluate your teeth and mouth to determine if you have impacted wisdom teeth or if another condition is causing your problems. Such evaluations typically include:

    • Questions about your dental symptoms and general health
    • An examination of the condition of your teeth and gums
    • Dental X-rays that can reveal the presence of impacted teeth, as well as signs of damage to teeth or bone

    Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

    Complications

    Impacted wisdom teeth can cause several problems in the mouth:

    • Damage to other teeth. If the wisdom tooth pushes against the second molar, it may 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 require orthodontic treatment to straighten other teeth.
    • Cysts. The wisdom tooth develops in a sac within the jawbone. The sac can fill with fluid, forming a cyst that can damage the jawbone, teeth and nerves. Rarely, a tumor — usually noncancerous (benign) — develops. This complication may require removal of tissue and bone.
    • Decay. Partially impacted wisdom teeth appear to be at higher risk of tooth decay (caries) than other teeth. This probably occurs because wisdom teeth are harder to clean and because food and bacteria get easily trapped between the gum and a partially erupted tooth.
    • Gum disease. The difficulty cleaning impacted, partially erupted wisdom teeth increases the risk of developing a painful, inflammatory gum condition called pericoronitis (per-ih-kor-o-NI-tis) in that area.

    Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

    Prevention

    You can't keep an impaction from occurring, but keeping regular six-month dental appointments for cleaning and checkups enables your dentist to monitor the growth and emergence of your wisdom teeth. Regularly updated dental X-rays may indicate impacted wisdom teeth before any symptoms develop.

    Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

    Coping and support

    The thought of having a tooth removed may be overwhelming, but delaying care can lead to serious and permanent problems. It's important to talk to your dentist about your concerns. Anxiety is common and nothing to be embarrassed about. Ask your dentist for suggestions on how to cope with your anxiety and discomfort.

    Many dentists offer ways to ease your anxiety, such as listening to music or watching videos. You may be able to bring along a supportive family member or friend. You can also learn relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and imagery. If you have severe anxiety, talk to your dentist or oral surgeon about medications or sedative techniques that may help.

    Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

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