How Serious is an Impacted Tooth?
Impacted teeth can cause significant pain in addition to other symptoms. Impaction which remains untreated can result in serious side effects, and in rare cases, can be fatal. Patients with symptoms associated with an impacted tooth should follow up with their dentist right away. The dentist can complete a thorough examination, determine the cause, and discuss treatment options.
Symptoms
An impacted tooth is a tooth which does not properly erupt. The most common teeth to be impacted are the wisdom teeth. However, impaction can occur to any tooth which fails to move into the correct position. Regular X-rays can aid in exposing impacted teeth prior to patients experiencing any symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms associated with impacted teeth include:
- Bad breath or foul taste in the mouth
- Occasional difficulty opening the mouth
- Pain in the gums or jaw
- Headache or jaw ache
- Gum redness and swelling surrounding the impacted tooth
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
- Gap where a tooth did not erupt
An impacted tooth can be serious and patients should follow up with their dentist right away. An impacted tooth which becomes infected can easily spread to other parts of the mouth and body. Chronic infection can result in heart disease, brain damage, and even death in extreme cases.
The dentist will complete an examination of the mouth and look for swollen tissue over the area of the impacted tooth. In some cases, the tooth may have partially emerged. It is also possible for the impacted tooth to press against the adjacent teeth. The gums surrounding the tooth may show early signs of infection including redness, drainage, and tenderness. When the gums swell over the impacted tooth, drain, and then tighten, it can feel as though the tooth erupted and then went back down. Dental x-rays are used to confirm if one or more teeth are impacted below the gums.
Treatment
The recommended treatment for an impacted tooth is typically extraction. Following the examination and prognosis, the dentist will discuss treatment options. In cases when tooth is infected, the dentist may prescribe antibiotics for treating the infection prior to the removal of the tooth. If the impacted tooth is located in the front of the mouth, braces may be used to aid in moving the tooth into the correct position.
Impacted teeth may not result in any symptoms. In this case, it may not be necessary to remove the teeth. The dentist can use x-rays to properly evaluate the situation and help determine if leaving the teeth in place is likely to cause issues in the future.
While impacted teeth may not cause any issues for some patients and not require treatment, it is important to follow up with the dentist to determine the best plan. Treatment is most often successful when the impaction is detected prior to any symptoms.
Complications commonly associated with impacted teeth include:
- Abscess
- Pain and discomfort
- Infection
- Misaligned teeth
- Accumulation of plaque on the teeth and gums
- Gum disease
- Nerve damage
It is best to have an impacted tooth removed before patients are 20-years-old as the roots are not yet fully developed. This makes it easier for the dental professional to remove the tooth and also aids in the healing process. Over time, the tooth’s roots become longer, more mature, and begin to curve. The bone also becomes more rigid and can cause complications.
Follow up with your dentist if you are noticing any issues or believe you may have an impacted tooth. The dentist can evaluate the teeth and determine the best plan for treatment.