Impacted Tooth

What is an impacted tooth?

The most common impacted teeth are wisdom teeth, the final molars that begin to emerge in the teen years. Impacted simply means that the teeth are unable to emerge and take their expected position in the mouth. Impaction is usually caused by a lack of space in the jaw for the new teeth. The most common impacted teeth are wisdom teeth, the final molars that begin to emerge in the teen years.

There are several types of impaction, all of which can occur both when the tooth is visible above the gum and when it is still beneath the surface. They are listed in order of frequency:

Mesial: angled forward to the front of the mouth.
Distal: angled backward.
Vertical: upright.
Horizontal: lying on side, pointed toward the front of mouth.

Symptoms

Sometimes when a tooth is impacted there are no noticeable symptoms and so no real treatment is necessary. However, most impacted teeth are accompanied by common symptoms.

Bad Breath
Pain, redness, or tenderness of gums or jawbone near the tooth
Unusual headaches or prolonged jaw aches
Unpleasant taste in the area of the tooth
Gap where the tooth should be
Swollen lymph nodes (occasionally)

Treatment

If the impacted tooth is a wisdom tooth, the most common solution is to have it removed. It can be a simple procedure done either by your dentist or an oral surgeon. The earlier the tooth is removed the better.
Over the counter pain relievers can relieve tooth discomfort and a salt water rinse or mouth wash can soothe the gums.
Be aware of any infections that may be caused by the tooth. It may need to be treated by antibiotics.

If you have any symptoms of impacted teeth, be sure to see your dentist right away to determine your best course of action.

Informational Articles

Wisdom Teeth Extraction (05/27/10)

Composite Fillings (04/27/10)

Partial Dentures (04/27/10)

Tooth Colored Fillings (04/27/10)