by Sid Kirchheimer
En Espaol (Spanish Version) An impacted tooth is a tooth that is positioned against another tooth, bone, or soft tissue so that it is unlikely to fully erupt through the gums to reach its normal position in the mouth.
Impaction typically occurs in the third molars, also called wisdom teeth. Left untreated, about one in three people with an impacted tooth will develop a cyst in the soft tissue beneath the gum line, or other complications. Impaction can lead to tooth decay , gum inflammation or infection, and resorption of bone or adjacent teeth. An impacted tooth can also push against other teeth, causing misalignment of the bite.
2008 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc.
Wisdom teeth, which begin to develop around age 9, are most vulnerable to impaction because they are the last teeth to eruptusually between the late teens and early 20s. By then, the jaw has stopped growing and may be too small to accommodate these four teeth.
An impacted tooth remains embedded in soft gum tissue or bone beyond its normal eruption time. The cause may be overcrowding. Teeth may also become twisted, tilted, or displaced as the new teeth try to emerge.
Impacted teeth are very common, but having a small jawbone makes you especially vulnerable.
Symptoms Some people with impacted teeth have no pain or other symptoms. But, you should see a dentist if you experience: Pain or tenderness of the gums or jaw boneUnpleasant taste when biting downBad breathRedness and swelling of the gums around the impacted toothProlonged, unexplained headache or jaw acheDifficulty opening your mouth (occasionally) Diagnosis Your dentist will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. Tests may include: A visual examination to look for signs of infection or swelling Dental x-rays to confirm tooth impaction Treatment If an impacted tooth causes no pain, inflammation, infection, and does not affect mouth alignment, no treatment may be necessary. If there are noticeable symptoms, treatment options include the following: Over-the-counter pain relievers to ease painGargling with warm salt water ( teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of water) to soothe gums Surgery is usually recommended to remove all wisdom teeth, preferably while the patient is young. This may be done by a dentist under local anesthesia if the tooth is exposed and can be easily removed in one piece. For difficult extractions, your dentist may refer you to an oral surgeon; in these cases, general anesthesia or an intravenous sedative may be used.
PreventionThere is no way to prevent impacted teeth. RESOURCES: The American Dental Associationhttp://www.ada.org/ The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeonshttp://www.aaoms.org CANADIAN RESOURCES: Canadian Dental Associationhttp://www.cda-adc.ca/ Canadian Dental Hygienists Associationhttp://www.cdha.ca/ References: The Academy of General Dentistrywebsite. Available at: http://www.agd.org/ . American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons website. Available at: http://www.aaoms.org/press060102.cfm . The US Library of Medicinewebsite. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001057.htm . Last reviewed February 2008 by Laura Morris-Olson, DMDPlease be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
