Impacted teeth don’t fully emerge through your gums. They may be partially or completely trapped, and impaction is most common with wisdom teeth. If you’ve recently learned you have an impacted tooth, you’re probably wondering what your treatment options are and if extraction is inevitable.
Walied Touni, DDS, MSD, and our team at Touni Orthodontics in Sunnyvale, California, specialize in wisdom tooth treatment and offer diagnostic services to help you understand your treatment options.
Addressing impacted teeth promptly is important, but do they always need to be removed? The answer depends on your unique circumstances.
Teeth get impacted when there isn’t enough room in your jaw for all your teeth to grow in properly. The most common causes are genetics, overcrowding, or the natural position of your teeth.
Wisdom teeth are particularly prone to impaction because they’re the last set of molars to develop, usually appearing between the ages of 17-25. By the time these teeth begin to erupt, your jaw may lack the space needed to accommodate them.
Other teeth, like your canines, can also get impacted if they’re misaligned or your baby teeth don’t fall out as expected, blocking your permanent teeth from coming in.
Impaction can range from partial, where part of your tooth is visible above your gumline, to complete, where your tooth remains entirely below the surface. While impacted teeth don’t always cause symptoms, they can be painful, cause infection, or damage your surrounding teeth.
Not all impacted teeth require removal, but getting a diagnosis for your specific case is essential. Dr. Touni and our team can assess your specific situation using X-rays and an oral exam to determine the best course of action for you.
Whether or not your impacted tooth should be removed depends on a few different factors, including:
If your impacted tooth causes pain, swelling, or infection, it likely needs to be removed to alleviate your discomfort and prevent complications.
Impacted teeth that push against your neighboring teeth or jawbone can cause misalignment or decay over time. In these cases, removing your impacted teeth may be the best option for your overall oral health.
Impacted teeth are more prone to trapping food and bacteria, which increases your risk of gum disease or abscesses.
If your impacted tooth isn’t causing problems and doesn’t interfere with your other teeth or overall oral health, it may be left alone and observed. Regular dental checkups and X-rays can help identify any changes or emerging issues early.
If your tooth needs to be extracted, here’s what you can expect. Extracting an impacted tooth is a minor surgical procedure that typically involves local anesthesia and, in some cases, sedation to ensure your comfort.
After administering your anesthesia, Dr. Touni makes an incision in your gum to access the tooth. He may divide the tooth into smaller pieces for easier removal and then extract it carefully. Recovery generally takes a few days, and proper aftercare minimizes discomfort and promotes healing.
The thought of getting a tooth extracted can be scary, but you shouldn’t let an impacted tooth lead to unnecessary complications. Our team can evaluate your situation and offer expert guidance tailored to your unique needs. Schedule a consultation at Touni Orthodontics by calling our office or booking an appointment online today.
