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Impacted teeth: What do I need to know?

Research Based
verified
Medically reviewed by - Dr Lara Mokhtar, MD Written by - Dr. Diksha Sangle

Overview

What are impacted teeth?

Impacted teeth are a dental issue that frequently occurs and significantly influences our health. When a tooth partially emerges or erupts through the gum line, it is said to be impacted.

We will dig into the topic of impacted teeth in this post, illuminating the underlying causes of this illness, the warning signs and symptoms to look out for, and the many treatment options. This thorough guide will offer insightful information about whether you are dealing with tooth pain or want to learn more about oral health.1Overview| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Impacted teeth are a dental issue that frequently occurs and significantly influences our health. When a tooth partially emerges or erupts through the gum line, it is said to be impacted.

How does the eruption of a tooth take place?

Teeth move gradually from their developing places within the jawbone to their final positions in the mouth throughout the natural tooth eruption process.

The front teeth usually emerge first, then the premolars, canines, and wisdom teeth in late adolescence or early adulthood. This process often happens in a specific order.1Overview| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Causes

The causes of an impacted tooth

Space is insufficient

  • Lack of enough room in the dental arch is one of the most frequent reasons for impacted teeth. A tooth that cannot adequately erupt from the jawbone may get confined or partly rooted in the bone or gingival tissue.

Overcrowding

  • When there is an imbalance between the size of the teeth and the amount of jaw space available, dental overcrowding happens. Impacted teeth can occur when the dental arch is too narrow to fit all teeth.

Unusual tooth positioning

  • Angled, rotated, or crooked teeth may have trouble correctly aligning throughout the eruption process. These anomalies may obstruct the ordinary course of tooth eruption.2Causes| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Delayed eruption

  • Teeth occasionally have delayed eruption, in which case they fail to erupt at the scheduled time. This delay might cause the tooth to become impacted in wisdom teeth that emerge later in life.

Genetics

  • Impacted teeth might be more likely to occur due to genetic causes. Hereditary features can increase the risk, including tooth and jaw size differences.

Extra teeth

  • Supernumerary teeth, or additional teeth, can occasionally alter the typical pattern and obstruct the way for subsequent teeth.2Causes| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Barriers and obstacles

  • Teeth can’t emerge if there are physical barriers in the mouth cavity. These might be gum tissue, thick jawbone tissue, or more teeth.

Tumors or cysts

  • Rarely, impaction can result from cysts or tumors in the gums or jawbone.1Causes| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms

Pain or discomfort

  • Localized pain or discomfort in the affected area may result from them. Pain can be intermittent or continuous and range in intensity from moderate to severe. The jaw, gums, or adjacent teeth may all experience pain.

Redness and swelling

  • It could cause the gums next to the impacted tooth to swell up. This may cause swelling, redness, and pain in the afflicted area. The gum tissue may feel sensitive to pressure or touch and seem swollen or inflamed.

Trouble opening the mouth

  • It could be not easy in some situations to completely open your mouth. This restriction may be brought on by the impacted tooth pushing against nearby teeth or soft tissues.

Unpleasant taste or bad breath

  • It could make room for food particles and germs to collect. This could leave your tongue tasting foul or give you persistent bad breath.

Shifts in the alignment or bite

  • Impacted teeth, particularly canines or premolars, might obstruct the alignment of the other teeth. As a result, the bite may vary, and nearby teeth may crowd or move.

A disease or abscess

  • It could occasionally cause an infection or the development of an abscess. Pus discharge, fever, and general malaise are symptoms.

Earaches or headaches

  • Wisdom teeth can mainly refer to discomfort, resulting in headaches or earaches. Headaches or earaches may develop due to the pain spreading from the location of the impacted tooth to the nearby tissues.

Diagnosis

How is it diagnosed?

Clinical examination

  • It could make room for food particles and germs to collect. This could leave your tongue tasting foul or give you persistent bad breath.3Diagnosis| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Changes in the alignment or bite

  • Impacted teeth, particularly canines or premolars, might obstruct the alignment of the other teeth. As a result, the bite may vary, and nearby teeth may crowd or move.3Diagnosis| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

A disease or abscess

  • It could occasionally cause an infection or the development of an abscess. Pus discharge, fever, and general malaise are symptoms.

Earaches or headaches

  • Wisdom teeth can mainly refer to discomfort, resulting in headaches or earaches. Headaches or earaches may develop due to the pain spreading from the location of the impacted tooth to the nearby tissues.3Diagnosis| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Treatment

Treatment of Impacted Teeth.

Treatment of impacted teeth

Observation and monitoring

  • In certain instances, if they are not producing any symptoms or difficulties, they might not need immediate treatment. To monitor the condition and ensure that any changes are promptly handled, regular dental examinations are advised.

Extraction

  • The most frequent therapy for impacted teeth, especially wisdom teeth, is tooth extraction. Under local anesthesia, surgical extractions are carried out; in more complicated situations, oral surgery could be necessary.4Treatment| Researched based study from Nhs.uk

Orthodontic care

  • Orthodontic intervention may be suggested to provide room for the eruption or to straighten teeth. Methods like braces, orthodontic equipment, or space maintainers might be used to direct them to their correct locations.

Bonding and exposure

  • In this procedure, the impacted tooth is exposed, an orthodontic bracket is attached, and the tooth is guided into the proper position.

Reshaping or removal of obstacles

  • Impacted teeth may occasionally be blocked. Dentists might need to modify or remove these obstructions for the correct eruption.5Treatment| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Complications

What are the complications associated with an impacted tooth?

If ignored, it can cause several issues and endanger your dental health.

Dental infections

  • Teeth that are only partially erupted or covered by tissue might leave an area for germs to grow and cause an infection. Infection may occur from this and spread to nearby tissues.

Gum diseases

  • They may raise the chance of gum disease (periodontal disease). It becomes more difficult to adequately clean the region, which causes plaque and tartar to build up. This may eventually result in gum disease, gum recession, and inflammation.6Complications| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Tooth decay and cavities

  • Cavities may also form nearby due to the trapped food particles, germs, and plaque.6Complications| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Shifting and crowding of the teeth

  • Dental crowding can result from an impacted tooth when other teeth migrate and shift to compensate for the lack of room. Misalignment and biting issues may develop from this.

Damage to teeth adjacent to it

  • Impacted teeth may put pressure on other teeth, which may cause enamel erosion, tooth deterioration, or even root resorption. As a result, nearby teeth may eventually sustain damage that calls for further dental procedures like crowns, fillings, or root canal therapy.

Tumor or cyst development

  • Rarely, it might cause the growth of cysts or tumors. For removal and therapy, surgery can be required.6Complications| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov

Prevention

Prevention and oral care tips

Regular dental checkups

  • Plan frequent dental examinations and exams with a professional.

Maintain proper dental hygiene.

  • Maintain a systematic and comprehensive approach to oral hygiene. Brush your teeth with toothpaste that contains fluoride at least two times per day, being sure to reach all surfaces.
  • Keep in mind to floss daily to remove plaque and other debris.
  • Keep an eye on tooth development. Pay attention to how your teeth are erupting and growing. Consult a dentist if you detect any delays or irregularities.

Prevent risk factors.

  • Reduce the risk factors by getting orthodontic treatment early, which can help with dental crowding and prevent teeth from becoming impacted.
  • Avoid behaviors like thumb sucking, which may influence the development of your teeth and jaw.

Maintain a balanced diet.

  • Maintain a diet that encourages proper dental care. Limit your consumption of sweet and sour foods and beverages because they can cause decay of the teeth and gum disease.
  • For the optimum oral health, consume lots of fruits, vegetables, and lean meats.

Follow the instructions given after the therapy.

  • If you need any dental work done, such as a tooth extraction or orthodontic treatment, abide by the dentist’s recommendations. This will encourage appropriate healing and lower the likelihood of problems.7Prevention| Researched based study from Nlm.nih.gov
Disclaimer: The user acknowledges that this article's information is being offered for informational purposes only. Every attempt has been made to guarantee that the article is informational and correct. If they have any doubts or questions about their health, we firmly advise our readers to visit a doctor or other healthcare professional.

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