Impacted Wisdom Teeth: Symptoms And Treatment Options

What are impacted wisdom teeth?

Impacted wisdom teeth are teeth that have not erupted through the gum line or have only partially erupted. They are the backmost molars on either side of your mouth, and most people have four impacted wisdom teeth — two upper and two lower.

While some people never experience any problems with their impacted wisdom teeth, for others, they can cause a host of issues. Impacted wisdom teeth can crowd or damage adjacent teeth, and they can become infected, which can lead to pain, swelling, and other serious complications.

If you have impacted wisdom teeth, your dentist or oral surgeon will likely recommend that they be removed. The good news is that this is a fairly common procedure that is typically performed without any major complications.

What are the symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth?

Impacted wisdom teeth can cause a variety of symptoms, including pain, swelling, and infection. Impacted wisdom teeth can also damage adjacent teeth and affect your bite. If you have any of these symptoms, you should see your dentist or oral surgeon for an evaluation.

How are impacted wisdom teeth treated?

There are a few different treatment options for impacted wisdom teeth, depending on the severity of the impaction. In some cases, the impacted tooth can be removed surgically. However, if the impaction is severe, the tooth may need to be removed in pieces. In either case, you will likely be given a local anesthetic to numb the area around the tooth.

If your wisdom tooth is only partially erupted, your dentist may recommend that you have it removed. This is because partially erupted teeth are more difficult to clean and are more likely to develop cavities or become infected. The procedure to remove a partially erupted wisdom tooth is typically less complicated than removing a fully impacted tooth.

After your wisdom tooth has been removed, you will need to take care of the wound site by keeping it clean and free of infection. Your dentist will give you specific instructions on how to care for the wound and when you can expect it to heal.

Wisdom teeth removal: What to expect

Wisdom teeth removal is a common procedure that is performed to remove the wisdom teeth, which are the third molars located in the back of the mouth. Wisdom teeth removal is typically performed by an oral surgeon, and it is often done under general anesthesia. The surgery usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour to complete.

After the surgery, patients can expect to experience some swelling and discomfort. This can be controlled with pain medication prescribed by the oral surgeon. It is important to follow all instructions given by the oral surgeon for a successful recovery. This includes eating soft foods, avoiding hard foods, and chewing on the side of the mouth that did not have surgery. Most people recover from wisdom teeth removal within a week.

Alternatives to wisdom teeth removal

Wisdom teeth removal is a common dental procedure, but it's not the only option. There are a few alternatives to wisdom teeth removal that can be considered, depending on the individual case. These include:

Leaving the wisdom teeth in place.

This is an option if the wisdom teeth are not causing any problems or pain. The downside is that there is a risk of the wisdom teeth eventually causing problems, so close monitoring by a dentist is necessary.

Extract only the problematic tooth or teeth.

This is an option if only some of the wisdom teeth are causing problems. The downside is that there is a risk of the remaining wisdom teeth eventually causing problems, so close monitoring by a dentist is necessary.

Orthodontic treatment to move the impacted wisdom teeth into a better position.

This is an option if the wisdom teeth are not currently causing any problems but are likely to do so in the future. The downside is that orthodontic treatment can be expensive and time-consuming.

Surgery to remove the impacted wisdom teeth before they cause problems.

This is an option if the wisdom teeth are likely to cause problems in the future and other options are not suitable or desired. 

Conclusion

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms associated with impacted wisdom teeth, it's important to see a dentist as soon as possible. They will be able to assess the situation and recommend the best course of treatment. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the impacted tooth or teeth. However, if caught early enough, impacted wisdom teeth can often be treated without surgery.

If you like to take good care of your impacted wisdom teeth to avoid infection, you must use B. Weiss water flosser.  This type of flosser uses a stream of water to remove plaque and bacteria from your teeth, which can help prevent wisdom teeth from becoming impacted in the first place.

Disclaimer:

The content in this article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider before making any changes to your health regimen. The author and publisher do not take responsibility for any consequences resulting from the information provided in this article.