What Should You Know About Impacted Tooth Removal?

An impacted tooth is a tooth that has not erupted through the gum and into the mouth. The most common reason for an impacted tooth is when there is not enough room in the mouth for it to erupt. Other reasons can include disorders of the gum, bone, or teeth that prevent the tooth from erupting, or a tooth that has become displaced after an injury to the mouth.

Impacted teeth are more likely to be found in the back of the mouth, particularly the wisdom teeth (third molars). Wisdom teeth often become impacted because there is not enough room for them to erupt. This can be due to crowding of the teeth, which displaces them and prevents them from erupting. Other impacted teeth include the canines (cuspids) and premolars (bicuspids).

While having an impacted tooth is not necessarily a bad thing, it can lead to problems if the tooth is not extracted (removed). Impacted teeth can cause pain, infection, and damage to the surrounding teeth. They can also make it difficult to clean your teeth properly, which can lead to cavities and gum disease. At times, your dentist may recommend you to undergo an impacted tooth removal procedure.

How to treat an impacted tooth?

Treatment for an impacted tooth depends on the degree of impaction, position of the tooth and the amount of crowding.

Mildly impacted teeth may not require any treatment. The tooth may eventually erupt on its own. If the tooth does not erupt, there is a chance it will become infected. To avoid this, your dentist may recommend that the tooth be removed.

Moderately impacted teeth will likely require some type of surgical procedure to help the tooth erupt. The type of surgery will depend on the position of the tooth. The most common type of surgery is called an Exposure and Bonding. This involves exposing the tooth and attaching a bracket to the tooth. A wire is then attached to the bracket and the wire is tightened over time. This helps to slowly move the tooth into the correct position.

Severely impacted teeth will require more extensive surgery. Your dentist may recommend you for an emergency tooth removal. The surgeon will also make sure that there is enough room for the tooth to erupt properly. If the tooth is close to the nerve, the surgeon may need to remove a portion of the bone around the tooth to avoid damage to the nerve.

After the tooth is extracted, you will likely have a gap in your smile where the tooth used to be. This gap can be easily corrected with an artificial tooth. This can be done with a dental implant or a bridge.

Dental implants are the most popular option for replacing an impacted tooth. Dental implants are titanium posts that are placed in the jawbone to support a dental prosthetic (false tooth). Dental implants are the most lifelike and durable option for replacing missing teeth, and they can be used to replace a single tooth or an entire set of teeth.

Bridges are another option for replacing an impacted tooth. They are made of two crowns that are connected by a false tooth. The two crowns are placed on the adjacent teeth and the false tooth is placed in the space left by the impacted tooth.

If you are missing one or more teeth, don’t wait to have them replaced. Not only will tooth replacement improve your smile, but it will also help to preserve your jawbone and prevent the surrounding teeth from shifting. To learn more about dental implants and how they can help you, contact a qualified implant dentist in your area today.

The Bottom Line 

Now that you know what impacted tooth is and how to treat it, what are you waiting for? Find the right dentist in your area to discuss your case. Remember that it is important to maintain good oral hygiene after the impacted tooth replacement. This includes brushing and flossing your teeth regularly and visiting your dentist for regular checkups.