Wisdom teeth or third molars are the final teeth to develop in the human mouth and usually appear at 17 or 25. Not everybody develops complications of the wisdom teeth, however, some develop the same when their wisdom teeth are impacted, making them end up in a lot of pain and discomfort. Being informed about the causes of wisdom teeth impaction and the potential treatment options is crucial to good oral health.
Understanding Wisdom Teeth and Impaction
Wisdom teeth are evolutionary remnants of our ancestors, who had bigger jaws and required these extra molars to grind on tough fibrous food. Human beings of today possess smaller jaws that, in most cases, do not have enough space to support these late-coming teeth. Impacted wisdom teeth are those that fail to fully emerge from the gums or grow out of position.
The reasons why wisdom teeth become impacted are mainly connected with the problem of space and location. With the jaw being reduced in size over thousands of years, there is simply not enough space in most people’s mouths to accommodate all 32 teeth. In addition, wisdom teeth can develop in the wrong direction, pressing on other teeth or becoming stuck below the gum.
Several factors cause wisdom teeth impaction including genetics, tooth growth direction, tooth size, and the size of the jaw. There are individuals whose jaws are too small to accommodate wisdom teeth, and there are those whose teeth are bigger than normal or grow in abnormal directions.
Identifying the Symptoms of Wisdom Teeth
Symptoms of wisdom teeth may be detected early to prevent more serious complications and minimize instances of . The symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth may differ depending on the individual, although there are some common signs to look out for.
Common Symptoms of wisdom teeth include:
- Constant jaw pain and discomfort – This pain may be present all the time or it may be intermittent and may extend to the ears, neck, or other teeth
- Pain and tenderness in the gums – The gum tissue surrounding the impacted wisdom teeth may become inflamed, red, and tender to the touch
- Trouble opening the mouth wide – Impacted wisdom teeth may result in tension and swelling of the muscles, which restricts jaw movement.
- Bad breath or bad taste – Partially erupted wisdom teeth will have pockets where bacteria can accumulate and cause infections and bad breath all the time.
- Crowding of teeth – The affected wisdom teeth can cause a push against neighboring teeth, which will move and become displaced.
- Headaches and facial pains – Aggression may cause tension headaches and facial pains because the pressure on the affected teeth causes them.
- Tender or bleeding gums – The gum tissue around wisdom teeth can bleed when brushing or eating.
- Cysts or infections – In severe cases, cysts may develop around the affected teeth, destroying neighboring bone and teeth.
Treatment Alternatives of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
The treatment plan for wisdom teeth varies according to the degree of impaction, exhibited symptoms, and individual patient factors. Treatment varies from conservative treatment to surgery.
Available Wisdom Teeth Treatment:
- Pain control and observation – In mild cases that are not infected, dentists can advise patients to take over-the-counter pain medication, warm salt water rinses, and monitor the condition to observe changes
- Antibiotic therapy – In the presence of infections, antibiotics may be used to curb the growth of bacteria and reduce inflammation prior to other options being considered
- Professional cleaning and irrigation – Professional cleaning may be able to remove bacteria and debris in hard-to-reach areas around partially erupted wisdom teeth
- Wisdom teeth extraction – The most common permanent solution is surgically removing impacted teeth to avoid future problems and alleviate existing symptoms.
- Coronectomy – In complicated situations where the entire extraction of the tooth can be a risk to certain nerves around the area, it may be advisable to remove only the crown part of the tooth
- Orthodontic treatment – In certain situations, orthodontic space may be created so that wisdom teeth can erupt normally
- Surgical exposure and orthodontic guidance – In teeth that are in the correct position but cannot erupt, a small surgical procedure combined with orthodontic forces can help the teeth come through the gums.
- Bone grafting – In cases where there is a substantial loss of bone as a result of cysts or infections, bone grafting may be required in the process of removing the tooth
When Wisdom Teeth Removal Becomes Necessary
Wisdom teeth dental surgery is usually prescribed when conservative treatment does not help to eliminate the symptoms or when complications appear. Wisdom teeth removal is usually recommended when the teeth are impacted, causing pain, infections, destruction of other teeth, or cysts. The surgery is normally carried out by an oral surgeon or a skilled dentist under local anesthesia, although sedation can be used in patients who are anxious.
The wisdom teeth removal procedure consists of cutting an incision in the gum tissue, removing any bone that might be in the way of the tooth, extracting the tooth (sometimes in pieces), and closing the surgical site with stitches. Recovery usually lasts several days to a week and, during this time, patients are expected to adhere to post-operative guidelines to avoid complications.
Bottom Line
The treatment of impacted wisdom teeth is a professional process that needs thorough consideration of personal conditions. Wisdom teeth cases are highly variable in complexity, and treatment should never be decided upon without consulting qualified dental professionals who can evaluate the particular situation and advise the best course of action.
Bayswater Dentists provides a full assessment and treatment of wisdom teeth issues to residents who require the expertise of a professional. Our staff are experts and can offer comprehensive evaluations, customized treatment solutions, and surgical services when wisdom teeth need to be extracted. The dental clinic offers a patient-centered approach and modern techniques to make the treatment of all wisdom teeth-related problems comfortable and practical, including simple monitoring and complex surgical cases.