Impacted tooth: Causes and Treatment

What is an impacted tooth? 

An impacted tooth refers to a tooth that is unable to fully emerge from the gums or jawbone because it is blocked by other teeth or bone. This can occur with wisdom teeth (third molars) and other teeth, such as canines. Impacted teeth can cause pain, infection, and damage to adjacent teeth if left untreated. Treatment options may include surgical removal of the impacted tooth.

What are the symptoms of an impacted tooth? 

Symptoms of an impacted tooth can include:

Pain or discomfort in the affected area

Swelling or redness of the gums

Tenderness or bleeding of the gums

Difficulty opening the mouth

Jaw pain or stiffness

Headaches

Earaches

A bad taste in the mouth or bad breath

A visible bump on the gums

Crowding or shifting of the surrounding teeth

Cyst formation or infection in the surrounding tissues

It is important to note that some impacted teeth may not cause any symptoms and may only be discovered during a routine dental examination.

What are the possible causes of an impacted tooth? 

There are several possible causes of an impacted tooth, some of which include:

Insufficient space in the jaw: When there is not enough room in the jaw for all of the teeth to emerge, some may become impacted. This is often the case with wisdom teeth (third molars) which typically emerge in the late teens or early twenties.

Soft tissue impaction: A tooth may be blocked from emerging by overlying soft tissue, such as the gums or the tongue.

Bone impaction: A tooth may be blocked by dense jawbone or other teeth.

Congenital conditions: Certain congenital conditions, such as cleft lip and palate, can cause teeth to become impacted.

Trauma: An injury to the jaw or face can cause teeth to become impacted or prevent them from emerging properly.

Malpositioned tooth: Sometimes the tooth may be growing in a wrong direction or angle, and that can cause impaction.

It is also worth mentioning that some people are more prone to impacted teeth due to genetics, for example, if a family member has had an impacted tooth, it increases the likelihood that another family member will have one too.

What are the options for treating an impacted tooth? 

Treatment options for an impacted tooth depend on the specific tooth and the severity of the impaction. Some common options include:

Observation: In some cases, an impacted tooth may not require treatment if it is not causing any symptoms or complications. A dentist or oral surgeon may recommend monitoring the tooth to see if it causes any problems in the future.

Surgical removal: Surgical removal of an impacted tooth is the most common treatment. This is typically performed by an oral surgeon, and may be done under local or general anesthesia. The procedure involves making an incision in the gums to access the impacted tooth, and then removing it from the jawbone. Recovery time can vary depending on the tooth and the extent of the surgery.

Orthodontic treatment: If the impaction is caused by a lack of space in the jaw, orthodontic treatment (braces) may be used to create more space for the impacted tooth to emerge. This may not always be possible or appropriate depending on the tooth location, type and stage of impaction.

Root canal therapy: If an impacted tooth is causing pain or infection, a root canal procedure may be done to remove the infected or damaged pulp of the tooth. However, this option is generally used when the tooth is partially erupted and visible, and the impaction is not severe.

Flap surgery: This option is used when the impacted tooth is partially erupted but still covered by the gum tissue, the flap of the gum tissue is lifted to expose the impacted tooth, and then the tooth is removed.

Distraction osteogenesis: This is a complex procedure that is used for teeth that are severely impacted or malpositioned. It involves surgically breaking the jawbone and then using devices to gradually move the jawbone and tooth into the correct position.

It is important to consult with a dentist or oral surgeon to determine the best treatment option for your specific case.

Treatment of an impacted tooth 

Treatment of an impacted tooth typically involves surgical removal of the tooth. This is typically performed by an oral surgeon, and may be done under local or general anesthesia. The procedure involves making an incision in the gums to access the impacted tooth, and then removing it from the jawbone. Recovery time can vary depending on the tooth and the extent of the surgery.

In some cases, an impacted tooth may not require treatment if it is not causing any symptoms or complications. A dentist or oral surgeon may recommend monitoring the tooth to see if it causes any problems in the future.

If the impaction is caused by a lack of space in the jaw, orthodontic treatment (braces) may be used to create more space for the impacted tooth to emerge. This may not always be possible or appropriate depending on the tooth location, type and stage of impaction.

If an impacted tooth is causing pain or infection, a root canal procedure may be done to remove the infected or damaged pulp of the tooth. However, this option is generally used when the tooth is partially erupted and visible, and the impaction is not severe.

Flap surgery is an option when the impacted tooth is partially erupted but still covered by the gum tissue, the flap of the gum tissue is lifted to expose the impacted tooth, and then the tooth is removed.

Distraction osteogenesis is a complex procedure that is used for teeth that are severely impacted or malpositioned. It involves surgically breaking the jawbone and then using devices to gradually move the jawbone and tooth into the correct position.

It is important to consult with a dentist or oral surgeon to determine the best treatment option for your specific case. They will take into consideration factors such as the position, stage, and type of the impacted tooth, as well as the overall health of the patient.