An impacted wisdom tooth refers to a situation where one or more of the third molars, commonly known as wisdom teeth, do not fully emerge or erupt through the gum line in a normal manner. Wisdom teeth typically start coming in during late adolescence or early adulthood, often between the ages of 17 and 25. However, due to various factors such as an improper angle of eruption, wisdom teeth may become impacted, causing potential complications and discomfort.

There are various forms or outcomes of an impacted wisdom tooth:

1. Vertical Impaction: The tooth is in a correct position, but fails to emerge fully through the gum line.
2. Horizontal Impaction: The tooth is in a position where it is at a horizontal angle, growing towards the adjacent tooth.
3. Mesial Impaction: The tooth is in a position where it is at a forward angle, towards the front of the mouth.
4. Distal Impaction: The tooth is in a position where it is at a backward angle, towards the back of the mouth.
5. Soft Tissue Impaction: The tooth is partially through the surface of the gum line. However, soft tissue still covers the tooth, making it difficult to clean and leading to the risk of infection.
6. Bony Impaction: The tooth is fully encased in the jawbone, preventing it from erupting at all.

1. Pain and Discomfort: Impacted wisdom teeth can lead to pain and discomfort due to pressure on surrounding teeth and tissues.
2. Infection: Partially erupted wisdom teeth can create pockets of space where bacteria can accumulate, potentially leading to infection and gum disease.
3. Cysts or Tumors: In some cases, cysts or tumors can form around impacted wisdom teeth, causing damage to the surrounding bone.
4. Damage to Adjacent Teeth: Impacted wisdom teeth can exert pressure on adjacent teeth, leading to misalignment or damage.
5. Jaw Pain: Impacted wisdom teeth can contribute to jaw pain, headaches, and earaches.
6. Difficulty Cleaning: Properly cleaning impacted wisdom teeth can be challenging, increasing the risk of cavities and gum disease.

To address these issues, a dentist or oral surgeon may recommend the removal of impacted wisdom teeth. Wisdom tooth extraction is a common dental procedure that involves the surgical removal of the impacted teeth.

This procedure is often performed under local anesthesia, conscious sedation, or general anesthesia, depending on the complexity of the case and the patient’s preferences. If you suspect you have impacted wisdom teeth or are experiencing any related symptoms, it’s advisable to consult with a dental professional for proper evaluation and guidance.

The good news is that it’s rather easy to spot the signs. For doctors, all they need to do is ask you a few questions and proceed to take a quick look inside your mouth to see if you have impacted wisdom teeth. These are major signs of impacted wisdom teeth:

1. Uncomfortable sensations and pain
2. Swelling around the jaw
3. Bleeding gums
4. Swollen gums
5. Tenderness of the gums

1. Headaches
2. Earaches
3. Bad taste when eating food
4. Bad Breath
5. Swollen Glands

Another thing to know about impacted wisdom teeth is that there are several home remedies for its temporary treatment. However, these home remedies don’t fix impacted wisdom teeth, but they give the patient some time just in case they are unable to make an appointment with the dentist right away.

• Ibuprofen or other similar over-the-counter medications can relieve the pain caused by impacted wisdom teeth. However, this is a temporary fix as the pain will come back once the medicine wears off.
• Rinsing with a saline solution is one of the cheapest methods used to reduce pain. This can be done by mixing a cup of warm water with a teaspoon of salt until it dissolves. Swish the solution in your mouth for a minute or so before spitting it out.
• Gel-based products like Benzocaine can help decrease the pain and swelling in the gums temporarily.

These remedies relieve pain and swelling for a short time only. Tooth decay and gum disease can occur due to impacted wisdom teeth that are left untreated. Impacted wisdom teeth can damage the surrounding teeth in front of the wisdom tooth.

• Overcrowding of teeth
• Infection
• Tumors
• Cysts

To avoid all these nasty side effects, make sure to have your wisdom tooth extracted by a dentist. Especially, at the first sign of complications. Doing so will get rid of the pain you’re facing and you’ll avoid further complications.

In San Diego, CA, for example, extracting one wisdom tooth without insurance could cost you about $1,200 with some dental practices near the Gaslamp area. While in Las Vegas, NV the same procedure could be hundreds less. However, not if the patient waits until the problem becomes worse. Such as a wisdom tooth that has impacted perfectly functional teeth in front of it.

Even though all your teeth may look the same to you, dentists are well aware of the fact that some teeth may be more important than others, and it could make or break your overall oral health.

The wisdom tooth is the most unique tooth in your mouth. The wisdom tooth tends to grow last, usually when you are in your late teens or early twenties. It is one of the reasons for crowding according to myself and many other dental professionals. However, studies have shown that while they contribute to the cause, they are not the only factors. Furthermore, even after extraction of the wisdom teeth, crowding of the teeth can still occur.

For a few unlucky individuals, it can develop in an unnatural manner. It can mean all sorts of trouble if neglected for a long time. It’s not a good idea to delay the needs of these teeth, it’s going to end up costing a lot of money in the long run if it is ignored.