What are impacted wisdom teeth?
Impacted wisdom teeth are considered to be dental emergencies necessitating immediate wisdom teeth removal. But before we discuss what impacted wisdom teeth are, you must understand some basics of wisdom teeth.
Wisdom teeth, also known as the third molars, are the last sets of permanent teeth to grow out. They usually erupt in your late teens or early twenties after all other teeth have grown. Wisdom teeth are located at the backs of the mouth, the last teeth on all sides. Wisdom teeth are considered to be vestigial organs because they don’t serve any real purpose, so there are absolutely no problems associated with removing wisdom teeth.
Most humans don’t have enough space in their mouth for 32 teeth, including the four wisdom teeth. As such, the eruption of wisdom teeth eventually leads to overcrowding, crooked teeth, and other misalignment problems. In some cases, wisdom teeth don’t erupt fully and remain stuck in the gum and bone tissues because of lack of space. Even if they do erupt, they might grow at an incorrect angle, potentially damaging the surrounding tissues.
Impacted wisdom teeth are wisdom teeth that don’t grow out properly, either because of lack of space, being stuck in the jawbone, or growing at an incorrect angle. They are extremely susceptible to damage and bacterial infections, leading to severe toothaches, pain, swelling, dental abscesses, and other problems. As such, impacted wisdom teeth removal becomes necessary to save your gum tissues, surrounding teeth, and overall oral health.
Is it necessary to extract a wisdom tooth?
In the past, wisdom teeth removal was recommended for everyone, regardless of whether they had impacted wisdom teeth. Approximately 5 million people in the United States undergo wisdom teeth removal every year. This is done to prevent the risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and other forms of infection. It’s generally easier to extract wisdom teeth in younger patients because they heal faster. However, according to recent science, wisdom teeth should only be removed if they’re causing problems or if there’s a high risk of them causing problems.
What are the symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth?
- The impacted wisdom tooth is angled towards the front of the mouth.
- The impacted wisdom tooth doesn’t emerge completely from the gum line.
- The impacted wisdom tooth is angled towards the back of the mouth.
- The impacted wisdom tooth is angled 90-degrees towards the side.
- The impacted wisdom tooth grows into the roots of the surrounding molars.
In what cases a wisdom tooth needs to be removed?
- When your wisdom teeth are pushing the surrounding teeth, causing bite problems.
- When there’s a risk of bacterial infections or the formation of cysts on the gums.
- When there’s a risk of sinus problems, such as pain and congestion.
- When your gum tissues are inflamed and swollen.
- When your wisdom teeth have cavities.
- When there are pockets of space around your wisdom teeth and gums.
- When your impacted wisdom teeth are overcrowding other teeth.
What happens during wisdom teeth removal?
Your dentist or oral surgeon will recommend upper or bottom wisdom teeth removal if they’re overcrowding other teeth or causing other complications. The emergency dentist will take x-rays to examine the roots of the wisdom teeth and curate a personalized surgical plan for you. The nature of the wisdom tooth removal procedure will depend on your specific goals and conditions. In most cases, the emergency dentist will perform a surgical extraction under local anesthesia.
During the surgical wisdom tooth removal, the gum tissues will be incised to expose the underlying bone tissues. The dentist may need to cut the surrounding bone tissues and wisdom teeth, which will allow them to remove the teeth in a piecemeal style. Once all the components of the wisdom teeth are removed, they’ll stitch the gum tissues to facilitate healing. An antiseptic gauze will be placed on the empty socket, and you’ll be asked to bite down and hold it in place.
You must follow the dentist’s post-surgery recovery guidelines to ensure a smooth and safe recovery. You must avoid smoking, alcohol consumption, and spitting for at least 24 hours to protect the socket. If the blood clot dislodges from the socket, you may experience an extremely painful condition known as a dry socket. To prevent a dry socket, you must follow the aftercare guidelines with the utmost precision.
Is it safe to get the wisdom tooth removed?
Yes, it’s completely safe to get your wisdom teeth removed. That’s because wisdom teeth are vestigial organs that don’t serve any real function, so they can be removed without any problems. In fact, getting wisdom teeth extracted improves your long-term oral health because they’re harder to clean while brushing and flossing. As such, wisdom teeth removal will improve your overall oral health and minimize the risk of bacterial infections.
Is wisdom teeth filling possible?
A wisdom tooth filling is technically possible if your wisdom tooth has erupted completely and isn’t stuck in your gums. However, if your wisdom tooth has a cavity, it might be better to opt for wisdom tooth extraction because there’s a risk that the tooth will continue causing problems. Your dentist will examine your wisdom tooth and determine if you need a wisdom tooth extraction or filling.
Is it okay to keep my wisdom teeth?
It’s okay to keep your wisdom teeth if they’re not causing any problems. However, if you experience infections, swelling, toothaches, and other problems, you may need wisdom teeth removal. Your dentist will examine your teeth and determine if it’s safe for you to keep your wisdom teeth.
Schedule your wisdom tooth extraction today.
Emergency Dentist Houston is one of the most reliable emergency dental clinics specializing in impact wisdom teeth removal in Houston. If you have the signs and symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth, please schedule an appointment to determine if you need a wisdom tooth extraction today.
