What exactly are impacted teeth? An impacted tooth is one that has been blocked from breaking through the gum for some cause. Sometimes a tooth is just slightly impacted, which means it has begun to break through.
Impacted teeth frequently create no evident symptoms and are identified during a regular X-ray at the dentist’s office.
Continue reading to discover more about impacted teeth and when you should take action.
Impacted Teeth Symptoms
While children may have impacted teeth when they lose their baby teeth, wisdom tooth impaction is more frequent in adults. Among the signs of an impacted tooth are the following:
Discomfort, redness, and swelling: The most frequent kinds of impaction elicit pain at the eruption site. There may be significant discomfort as the tooth attempts to break through the gum’s soft tissue. You may also experience gum bleeding at times.
Difficulty chewing: Because there is limited room for the teeth to emerge, they usually do so at an odd angle. When your wisdom teeth emerge at an angle, you may suffer pain and discomfort in your mouth when chewing.
Foul breath: The impacted tooth’s crowding and angles create an excellent environment for germs to hide, resulting in bad breath. Bad breath is a common indication of an impacted tooth, and germs can cause gum disease and tooth decay.
Causes of Impacted Teeth
The most common type of impaction is wisdom tooth impaction, which is when the third molars (wisdom teeth) fail to erupt through the gum. This can be due to several reasons, such as:
Dental crowding: This is the most common cause of impacted teeth. When there isn’t enough space in the mouth for all of the teeth, crowding can occur. The teeth will then shift and tilt into each other, which can block certain teeth from erupting.
Bone density: If the bones in your jaw are too dense, this can also cause an impacted tooth. The density of the jawbone can make it difficult for the tooth to erupt through.
Gum tissue: If the gum tissue around the tooth is too thick then this can also cause an impacted tooth. The gum tissue will need to be thinned out for the tooth to erupt through.
Treatment for Impacted Teeth
The treatment for an impacted tooth will depend on several factors, such as the severity of the impaction, the position of the tooth, and whether there are any symptoms present. In some cases, no treatment may be necessary, and the tooth will eventually erupt on its own. However, if the impaction is causing pain or other problems, then treatment may be necessary. Treatment options for impacted teeth include the following:
Dental extraction: This is the most common treatment for an impacted tooth. The tooth will be removed by a dentist, and the surrounding area will be cleaned. In some cases, the tooth may need to be removed in pieces.
Orthodontic treatment: If the impaction is caused by dental crowding, then orthodontic treatment may be recommended. This will involve wearing braces or another type of dental appliance to straighten the teeth and create more space in the mouth.
Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the impacted tooth. This is typically only done if the impaction is severe or if other treatments have failed.
Conclusion
An impacted tooth is a tooth that has been blocked from breaking through the gum. They are common among children who are losing their baby teeth and adults who have wisdom teeth. Impacted teeth can cause pain, difficulty chewing, and bad breath. The most common treatment for an impacted tooth is a dental extraction.
Galleria Dental of Alexandria is a family dental office that treats customers of all ages. We are an emergency dentist in Alexandria, Virginia, who provides examinations, teeth cleaning, crowns, veneers, and other cosmetic dentistry procedures. Make an appointment with us today!