"Impacted teeth," which remain under the jawbone or within the soft tissues despite the time for their eruption having come, can cause severe pain. These teeth, which are seen quite commonly, can turn daily life into something unbearable due to the severe pain they create when they remain impacted. This condition, which can lead to oral health complications, can sometimes remain for years without causing a problem. This disorder can be treated with orthodontic methods or extracted with surgery.
Many factors can be effective in the impaction of these teeth, which are also called third molars, wisdom teeth, or molars of wisdom.
Causes of Impacted Teeth
- Genetic causes
- Neighboring teeth shifting and blocking the path of the tooth that is to erupt
- Lack of space in the mouth due to a narrow jaw
- Inflammation of the teeth whose eruption time has come
What Are the Symptoms of an Impacted Tooth?
- Pain in the tooth and gum
- Redness
- Jaw stiffness
- Swelling
- Infection
- Bad breath
- Development of tooth decay
How Are Impacted Teeth Treated?
The doctor may plan alternative treatments after diagnosing an impacted tooth. If these teeth are in a region that will affect the patient's aesthetics and function, orthodontic treatment may be recommended. If the impacted tooth is in a position where it cannot be intervened orthodontically, the surgical extraction of the tooth may be considered.
Which Steps Are Followed?
The following steps are generally followed in the removal of an impacted tooth by a doctor:
- Detailed information about the position of the tooth is obtained with an X-ray or other imaging techniques.
- Local anesthesia is applied before the extraction to prevent the feeling of pain and discomfort.
- In the final stage, surgical intervention is performed.
- Post-operative care is important.
