Impacted Wisdom Teeth FAQ

If you are too young, or simply lucky enough to not have issues with your wisdom teeth, you may not even know what impacted wisdom teeth are. This simply means that your wisdom teeth don’t break through the gum line completely. Impacted wisdom teeth are something many people have to deal with. They can cause a great deal of pain and even require surgery to remove.

What is an impacted wisdom tooth?

Wisdom teeth are, very simply, the third and final set of molars (or “premolars”) that usually appear in your mouth in your late teens or early twenties. Wisdom teeth can crowd into a space that is not their own, causing one of many problems such as pain, infection, and cysts. Wisdom teeth are impacted when they do not come fully through the gum line. This means they can not breakthrough at all, or only make a partial appearance. This is often due to overcrowding in the mouth. Sometimes, wisdom teeth are removed to make room for other teeth that could become impacted in the future.

What are the causes of an impacted wisdom tooth?

Impacted-wisdom teeth are caused by a number of factors, including:

Genetics

Genetics may play a role in whether you are predisposed to have impacted wisdom teeth. If your parents had impacted wisdom teeth, there’s a greater chance that you will have them at some point in your life.

Overcrowding

If the rear portion of your mouth is already crowded and there is not adequate space, wisdom teeth simply don’t have any room to grow. Overcrowding can lead to other conditions, such as cysts.

Regardless of the underlying cause, fully or partially impacted wisdom teeth can be forced into alternate directions. This means the teeth could start growing on a slant or even a right angle forward, backward, or toward the inside or outside of your mouth. 

What are the symptoms of an impacted wisdom tooth?

If you have impacted-wisdom teeth there are likely to be some common signs you will recognize.

Pain

Pain is the most common symptom of impacted wisdom teeth. As they try to wedge their way into a crowded space as they grow, they tend to be very sensitive and cause discomfort or pain, especially after eating or drinking anything.

Cysts

Cysts can develop anywhere in the mouth, but they occur more frequently with impacted-wisdom teeth. A cyst is a fluid-filled sac that will not go away on its own. It can cause pain, as well as develop an odor.

Tooth Decay and Bad Breath

Impacted wisdom teeth tend to have a higher likelihood of decay which can also lead to a bad case of bad breath. 

Gum Disease

As you might imagine, teeth that aren’t fully exposed are difficult to clean. That makes impacted wisdom teeth a likely cause of gum disease.

How painful is an impacted wisdom tooth?

The pain of an impacted wisdom tooth can vary from person to person. However, in general, they tend to cause pretty significant, radiating pain from the back of the mouth that can also lead to headaches. The longer the condition is allowed to persist, the worse it gets and the greater the potential harm you will do to your overall oral health. 

What is the treatment for an impacted wisdom tooth?

If an impacted wisdom tooth is causing pain, the best way to treat it is by getting it removed. This can be done through a process called a “wisdom tooth extraction“. In some more complicated scenarios, this may require an oral surgeon to perform. 

During extraction, you will be anesthetized and the dentist will make an incision in the gums as an extraction point. Depending on how your teeth are situated, removal may require breaking up the tooth into smaller pieces or removing a bit of bone. Post-op, you will likely get a prescription for a mild painkiller to help manage the pain.

Ultimately, impacted wisdom teeth can be a little scary. However, the procedure to extract them is a common one, and once complete you’ll be back to your normal day-to-day activities rather quickly. If you have a wisdom tooth causing pain and you’re in Southeast Michigan, please schedule an appointment with your local Fortson Dentistry location and we’ll be happy to evaluate and discuss your situation.