Impacted wisdom teeth cannot emerge in healthy positions like other teeth. They also contribute to oral health complications such as abscesses and gum disease. Having these teeth removed by an oral surgeon can reduce your risks for oral health conditions and improve your quality of life.
What are common symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth?
While some impacted wisdom teeth can be asymptomatic, there are some common symptoms that patients can be aware of. Typical side effects associated with wisdom tooth impaction include:
- Facial tenderness and jaw pain
- Bad breath
- Swollen and tender gums
- Difficulty moving one’s mouth
- Facial swelling, particularly near the jaw
- Unpleasant taste in one’s mouth
Why do wisdom teeth become impacted?
An impacted tooth cannot erupt properly because it is “stuck” in the gums and/or jawbone. Wisdom teeth tend to become impacted because there is rarely adequate room in the mouth for them to erupt. With limited room, wisdom teeth may point sideways toward other teeth or the back of the mouth. Many times, a wisdom tooth only partially emerges through the gums.
How can wisdom teeth affect my oral health?
There are a number of ways that wisdom tooth retention can affect your oral health. Keeping your wisdom teeth can contribute to unwanted tooth movement, TMJ disorder, periodontal disease, and painful infections.
How do I know if I need my wisdom teeth removed?
Your dentist will look for signs of wisdom tooth eruption during regular checkups. Most oral health professionals recommend the extraction of wisdom teeth to protect a person’s oral health and quality of life. If your dentist finds that your wisdom teeth have arrived, he or she will refer you to an oral surgeon.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons perform wisdom teeth extractions because the removal of these teeth is more complicated than other types of extractions. They utilize advanced surgical techniques to minimize invasiveness and promote a speedy recovery.
Our practice is accepting new patients. Call Commonwealth Oral & Facial Surgery to schedule a wisdom tooth removal consultation with our skilled surgeons.