Tooth impaction occurs when a tooth does not erupt properly or cannot erupt because it faces an obstruction in the form of another tooth, tissue, or bone. The reason for obstruction can also be a result of the tooth erupting at an odd angle, which puts those factors in its path.
The most commonly impacted teeth are wisdom teeth, which have to be removed at some point to avoid them becoming infected or causing other disruptions.
Symptoms of Tooth Impaction
Tooth impaction is sometimes symptom-free and goes entirely unnoticed until a problem emerges. On other occasions, impacted teeth are extremely painful and need to be immediately extracted to offer relief. Following are some common symptoms of tooth impaction:
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Redness, inflammation and swelling of the gums near the impacted tooth.
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Bad breath.
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Prolonged and unexplained pain in the jaw.
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Experiencing bad taste in the mouth.
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Difficulty in opening mouth.
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Bleeding in the gums around the impacted tooth.
Treatments for Tooth Impaction
The typical treatment for an impacted tooth with symptoms is extraction. If the tooth is not positioned oddly and can be removed in one go, the dentist performs the procedure under local anesthesia. If the tooth position is more complicated and will have to be removed in parts, the patient is referred to an oral surgeon who performs the surgery using general anesthesia.
Surgery can sometimes cause jaw fractures, so the ideal situation is for a regular extraction to take place. Additionally, people who do not experience any symptoms do not need treatment so the impacted tooth is left as it is.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of tooth impaction or suspect that one of your teeth might be impacted, please visit Dr. Anthony Hoffman and Dr. Hoffman at Hoffman Dental to get examined and treated.
If you are looking to learn more about the treatments for tooth impaction, call us today at (503) 648-7700to schedule a consultation.
Tooth impaction occurs when a tooth does not erupt properly or cannot erupt because it faces an obstruction in the form of another tooth, tissue, or bone. The reason for obstruction can also be a result of the tooth erupting at an odd angle, which puts those factors in its path.
