If You Don't Remove Impacted Teeth
An impacted tooth is a tooth which has not properly erupted in the mouth. It is possible that the tooth has not broken through the gums, has partially come in, come in at the wrong angle, or perhaps the tooth is being blocked by another tooth. A common treatment for impacted teeth is to remove the tooth completely. Wisdom teeth or third molars are one of the most common teeth to be impacted. It can be overwhelming to hear that you have impacted teeth which require removal, however, it is important to ensure the teeth are properly treated.
Removing a tooth is actually considered surgery. It can be tempting for patients to avoid treatment for their impacted teeth or avoid having the tooth removed. While some patients have impacted wisdom teeth which do not require treatment, it is best to follow the advice of the dentist. The dentist can take x-rays and determine if the wisdom teeth will cause problems to the adjacent teeth or issues in the mouth.
The failure to remove impacted wisdom teeth which are causing issues can result in serious problems. This article will discuss what can happen when patients neglect to remove an impacted tooth.
Damage to Other Teeth and Overcrowding
When an impacted tooth is not removed, it can cause overcrowding of the other teeth. This can result in the teeth shifting out of place and overlapping. Crowding due to impacted teeth can reverse previous orthodontic work as well and require additional straightening. Overcrowding can be especially problematic for patients with a smaller sized mouth. Impacted wisdom teeth which push against the adjacent teeth or second molars, can cause damage and increase the patient’s risk for infection.
Impacted teeth do not always come in vertically and may erupt at different angles or horizontally. This can cause damage to the other teeth and require additional repair.
Decay
Because impacted teeth are located so far back in the mouth, it can be more difficult to clean them compared to normal teeth. Food and bacteria are easily trapped in the impacted teeth, leading to cavities, bad breath, and decay.
Gum Disease
Another possible consequence of untreated impacted teeth is gum disease. Gum disease can be treated when it is caught early. Over time, however, it can result in pain, redness or swelling of the gums, and even tooth loss.
Cysts
As the wisdom teeth develop, there is a sac in the jawbone which can fill with fluid and eventually form a cyst. Cysts can damage the teeth, nerves, and jawbone. Although it is quite rare, it is possible for the cyst to develop into a noncancerous tumor which requires removal.
Untreated impacted teeth can cause serious complications when they are not removed. While tooth extraction can sound overwhelming, the potential consequences and treatment can be much more invasive. When patients develop an infection from the accumulated bacteria, it can spread to other parts of the body.
Patients with impacted teeth should follow up with their dentist to determine if they need to be removed. It is important to monitor impacted teeth to prevent long-term issues. The optimal time to have impacted wisdom teeth removed is prior to the roots being fully developed which is typically when patients are in their late teenage years or early twenties. Teeth grow from the crown to the root. As a result, the surgery and recovery are less invasive when the tooth is extracted before the roots have completely formed. Having extracted wisdom teeth removed is a common procedure. The dental professional can complete the extraction with minimal discomfort and a relatively quick recovery time. It is always important for patients to continue practicing good oral hygiene and following the post-operative care instructions from the provider.