Fix Impacted Teeth

Impacted Teeth and Treatment

As most of us develop, our baby teeth loosen, then fall out, followed by our adult teeth growing in where the baby teeth were. However, unfortunately, sometimes these adult teeth can grow in in the “wrong” place and/or crookedly. When this happens braces or Invisalign are commonly used to shift teeth into an optimal bite position, and to disallow crowding. Again, unfortunately, for some people, one or more of these teeth, as they develop, may never erupt on their own in spite of having developed within the jaw bone. These non-erupting teeth are known as impacted teeth.

Often a result of crowding of the teeth, this kind of tooth impaction can lead to various complications. If a new tooth doesn’t have ample space to come in, it can stay stuck under the gums. Full impaction happens when eruption of the tooth fails completely, while partial impaction happens when the tip of a tooth makes it to the gum-line but does never does fully develop.

Wisdom teeth are the most likely teeth to become impacted. They can become impacted because the jaw doesn’t have enough room, or they can become impacted because they have grown in in a crooked way, or possibly even completely sideways, which can threaten a second molar’s roots.

Upper canine teeth are the only other teeth, besides the wisdom teeth, that are commonly impacted. And often if your family history includes impaction of the upper canines, it’s more likely that you might get impacted upper canine teeth, too. The most common scenario is that just one canine tooth will be impacted, but occasionally both will become impacted.

While some people don’t show symptoms of tooth impaction beyond that a tooth doesn’t erupt, our canine teeth are still considered an important part of a great smile because they provide such supportive structure. In addition they are an important part of chewing as they assume a lot of chewing pressure due to their longer roots, which actually protects some of the nearby teeth.

But besides a lopsided smile, other complications and symptoms from impaction can occur. Pushing into nearby teeth just under the gums, impacted teeth can cause cavities, gum disease, infections or even damage of nerves. In addition, pain, bad breath, jawline tenderness, prolonged or recurring headaches, aching of the jaw, swollen gums or swollen lymph nodes, visible gaps, and an unpleasant taste in the mouth can all be symptoms of impacted teeth.

Often times tooth impaction cannot be prevented. Treatment for the impaction includes removal (this treatment is usually used for impacted wisdom teeth), or using surgery and orthodontic treatment for moving a tooth into the proper position (this treatment is typical for impaction of the canine teeth). Impaction of a tooth is most often diagnosed with the help of dental X-rays, which allows an orthodontist to determine and suggest the best treatment. If you suspect you have a tooth impaction you should consult with a dental professional as soon as possible.

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