Is My Tooth Impacted?
If you notice symptoms of an impacted tooth, go to a dentist who will examine your teeth and will most likely recommend that you undergo a dental X-ray, and based on that, he or she will make a final diagnosis. If it turns out that the tooth is actually impacted, extraction will be necessary.
Interestingly, not every impacted tooth should be removed. It is also possible to remove such a tooth during orthodontic treatment if one of the front teeth is stuck in the bone. How does orthodontic braces work and how long does the treatment process take? It is a long-term process that may take up to several years, but it is very effective. Removal of an impacted tooth involves its surgical exposure and orthodontic treatment. After it is completed, the tooth will be properly positioned.
An impacted tooth is a problem that most often affects patients between 15 and 25 years of age. Such a tooth does not reach the occlusal plane, even though it is already properly developed. This condition has serious consequences, e.g., infection, pain or displacement of other teeth. Usually, patients who struggle with it are able to feel on their own, using their tongue, that something is wrong with the tooth. In this case, you should go to the dentist as soon as possible.
Impacted tooth – what is it?
An impacted tooth is a properly developed tooth that, however, has not fully erupted onto the gum surface (then a small part of its crown is visible) or is fully stuck in the jawbone (then it is not visible at all from the outside). Typically, the problem affects molars: eights, sevens, and sixes.
Impacted tooth – causes
The problem we are discussing usually occurs when there is not enough space in the mouth or if the tooth has chosen the wrong growth path. Sometimes an impacted tooth is the result of:
- jaw injuries,
- too little vitamins A and D in the body,
- improper dental treatment (in the past),
- hereditary predispositions,
- hormonal problems,
- too late falling out of a baby tooth
Symptoms of an impacted tooth
The most common symptoms of an impacted tooth are:
- incorrect bite,
- periodontal disease of the tooth located next to the impacted tooth,
- problems with opening the mouth wide and trismus,
- inflammation of the gum above the impacted tooth,
- tooth crown caries (partially impacted),
- discomfort caused by chronic pain.
It is worth noting, however, that an impacted tooth does not have to cause pain. It happens that some patients don't even know they have it. However, during eruption, inflammation of the gum above it may occur.
It is not necessary to remove every impacted tooth. Although this was once standard practice, dentists now try to preserve such teeth whenever possible. They often try to bring it down to the arc. First, in such a case, the impacted tooth should be surgically exposed. For this purpose, the doctor uses a piezoelectric knife. Thanks to it, ultrasonic waves are produced, which in turn allows for precise incision of tissues, while limiting bleeding. Sometimes it is also recommended to wear braces.