What Are Impacted Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom Teeth Flushing, NY

Concerned about impacted wisdom teeth? Read on to learn more about this condition and how it is addressed. The third pair of molars at the rear of the mouth is known as the wisdom teeth. These teeth usually appear in late adolescence or early adulthood. Impaction is when a wisdom tooth becomes trapped beneath your gums or does not have enough space for emerging. Wisdom teeth that are impacted are more susceptible to dental issues such as infection and decay.

An overview of impacted wisdom teeth

Some individuals with impacted wisdom teeth may have no symptoms, while others will experience significant discomfort. Partially impacted wisdom teeth may erupt through the gums. Food may get lodged in a partially impacted wisdom tooth, making cleaning the tooth more difficult. This condition can be excruciating for some individuals.

If infection or other issues set in, patients may experience symptoms like jaw pain and swelling, bad breath, unpleasant taste in the mouth, difficulties opening the mouth, and red, swollen, or inflamed gums. In some instances, the affected tooth may never emerge from the gums and these are referred to as completely impacted wisdom teeth.

Causes and risks of wisdom teeth impaction

Wisdom teeth get impacted when there is not enough room on the jaw for them to grow. The tooth may erupt at odd angles, causing it to become impacted. Those who have a small jaw structure are more at risk of impacted wisdom teeth. Although there is no way to avoid an impacted tooth, proper dental care can help patients prevent complications.

Diagnosing and handling impacted wisdom teeth

A dentist can diagnose wisdom tooth impaction by inspecting the teeth and taking a simple oral x-ray. An x-ray may reveal whether the teeth are impacted and whether or not other teeth or bones are affected. If the wisdom teeth are impacted, the dentist will review the available options.

The dentist will recommend extraction of the impacted wisdom teeth if they create symptoms or dental issues. The removal of wisdom teeth is typically done as an outpatient procedure, meaning patients will be able to return home the same day.

During the operation, the dental professional will administer a local anesthetic. They will first create an incision in the gums and remove any troublesome bone to extract the tooth. Stitches will be used to seal the incision, and gauze will be used to cover the area. The procedure typically takes between 30 minutes to one hour to complete.

It may be more difficult to perform tooth extraction if they are entirely impacted and buried deep inside the gums or jawbone than if they have erupted through the gum.

Are you having issues with your wisdom teeth?

If the impacted wisdom teeth are not causing any problems, there might be no need for extraction. Some dentists recommend removing the teeth to avoid future issues. If the dentist believes an extraction is not needed, the patient will need to be closely watched for possible dental issues.

Request an appointment here: https://www.queensfamilydental.com or call Queens Family Dental at (718) 445-5610 for an appointment in our Flushing office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Wisdom Teeth in Flushing, NY.

Recent Posts

Wisdom Tooth Extractions: How Do You Know If Your Wisdom Teeth Need To Come Out?

Wondering if wisdom tooth extractions are in your near future? If you feel like your wisdom teeth are not growing in properly, then there is a good possibility that an experienced dentist will need to pull the tooth. Everyone is different, which means that some people have no problem at all when their wisdom teeth…

Wisdom Teeth: Should They Be Removed?

While there are times when wisdom teeth grow in correctly and do not cause any oral health or cosmetic concerns, sometimes wisdom teeth grow in incorrectly. If wisdom teeth that grow in incorrectly begin to cause oral health concerns or have the potential to do so, they may need to be surgically removed.Many avoid the…

Dietary Restrictions After Dental Extractions

If you have a dental extraction at Queens Family Dental, it is important for you to realize that we perform this procedure on a regular basis. Since most people do not have room for a third set of molars, we perform an extraction on patients of various ages. They can come in sideways or impacted,…

Why It Is Important To Replace Missing Teeth

It is essential to replace missing teeth the moment they fall out. Failing to do so can lead to serious health issues. Teeth serve an important function: They help people break down foods, pronounce certain words and their roots keep your jawbone tissue healthy.When some of a person's teeth are missing, there are changes that…

Recent Posts

How Veneers Are Used In Cosmetic Dentsitry

How Veneers Are Used In Cosmetic Dentsitry

Anyone considering dental veneers should understand the details of how they work to help determine if they are candidates. These thin, shell-like pieces are a cosmetic dentistry treatment that enhances the overall appearance of the teeth. Here are the various ways that general dentists utilize veneers for their patients.Veneers are thin porcelain shells that a…

Cosmetic Dental Reasons To Get Dental Bonding

Cosmetic Dental Reasons To Get Dental Bonding

Getting dental bonding can be a good way to improve your smile. It can be hard to know the right time to get it, however. The right way to determine if you are a candidate for it is to have an appointment with your dentist. Keep reading to find out more about a few cosmetic…

We are not currently accepting Medicaid Patients. Thank you!