Wisdom teeth, also called third molars, are the last teeth that grow in. Usually, they start erupting or breaking through gums when a person is between seventeen and twenty-five years old. Sometimes, wisdom teeth break through as they should and do not cause any issues. Other times, these teeth become fully or partially trapped in the jawbone or gums. This is called impaction. If you have impacted wisdom teeth, dental professionals advise that you have them extracted as soon as possible. This blog explains that delaying the extraction can seriously affect oral health.
The Effect Of Delaying Impacted Wisdom Tooth Extraction
First of all, the impaction of wisdom teeth happens in various ways. There are non-impacted wisdom teeth, partially impacted third molars, and fully impacted third molars. Fully impacted third molars are not visible. They are completely concealed underneath the gums. Partially impacted wisdom teeth are slightly visible since a section has broken through. A non-impacted wisdom tooth has erupted and is entirely visible above the gumline. It is essential to note that a non-impacted wisdom tooth may still cause dental problems.
You may also hear your dental professional use hard and soft tissue impaction. Hard tissue impaction means the tooth is still entirely concealed by the jawbone and gums. Soft tissue impaction means the tooth has broken through from the jawbone but has not erupted from the gums.
There are four kinds of impacted third molars, with each type matching the tooth positioning:
- Mesioangular impaction—this is the most prevalent type. It happens when a third molar grows at an angle towards the front of the mouth.
- Vertical impaction—this occurs when a third molar is in the correct position for breaking through but is still incapable of erupting from the gums.
- Distoangular impaction—this is the rarest type. It happens when a third molar grows at an angle towards the rear of the mouth.
- Horizontal impaction—happens when a third molar grows sideways at an angle of 90 degrees and pushes into the roots of the adjacent tooth. Horizontally impacted teeth are usually painful since they exert excess pressure on the teeth in front of them.
For third molars to completely erupt, sufficient room must be in the jawbone. Inadequate space in the jaw might result in the tooth erupting only partially or being entirely concealed in the gum. Or, the teeth will emerge crooked or grow at an odd angle, as mentioned above. Regardless of the impaction you face, ensure you visit your dental professional for an extraction as soon as possible before other problems emerge. If you delay with an impacted wisdom tooth, you may face other dental issues such as:
Nerve Damage
If you extract your third molars at a much later stage in life than the dentist recommended, you risk damaging the mandibular nerve. Delaying the removal of impacted third molars only complicates the process, exposing you to the risk of developing other complications. Damage or injury to the nerve is known to result in loss of sensation in some patients.
Infections
Wisdom teeth are located at the rear end of the mouth, making proper brushing and cleaning challenging. An extended period of poor hygiene might result in bacteria beginning to breed around the region, causing infection and cavities in the tissue. Infection can spread in the third molar sac, leading to a jaw cyst.
Apart from being extremely painful, a jaw cyst can affect the adjacent tissue, bones, and nerves. When it reaches this stage, your only way out would be undergoing oral surgery to extract the damaged tissue and bone to prevent the infection from spreading. You could also contract other dental infections like gingivitis.
Malocclusion
Sometimes, third molars can erupt entirely but impact the neighboring teeth in that process. The third molars squeeze themselves to fit in because of limited room in the jaw bone. In that process, they push the neighboring teeth out of their usual position. This results in misalignment and might impact your vote drastically, necessitating orthodontic treatment, a more tedious and costly process, when you would have just extracted the wisdom teeth.
Gum and Tooth Decay
One crucial reason you should not delay wisdom teeth is that they can cause gum and tooth decay. Third molars are located in the mouth's rear, a hard-to-reach area. This makes it challenging to reach them with a floss or toothbrush to clean and maintain them properly. Consequently, food particles and plaque easily build up, making third molars susceptible to decay and cavities, impacting the third molars and the neighboring teeth.
The number one cause of wisdom teeth extraction is a periodontal condition known as pericoronitis. This condition is characterized by food debris trapped underneath soft tissue flaps, leading to pain and inflammation. If not treated, pericoronitis can lead to severe jaw pain. It may also result in bone loss on the distal of the second molar, compromising that tooth and making it highly prone to cavities and periodontitis.
Dental infections can easily spread to surrounding teeth, resulting in even more decay. It could additionally spread into the gums, causing gum disease. If not treated, gum disease can lead to jaw bone deterioration. Therefore, you want to extract your wisdom teeth when your dental professional recommends to prevent all these problems from emerging.
Gum Inflammation
The inflammation of the gum can happen when food debris, bacteria, and plaque lodge beneath the gum tissue. Inflamed or swollen gums are an apparent, common indication that your third molars may have partially emerged or impacted. The tissue surrounding your teeth in the rear of your mouth will swell, redden, and become sensitive to touch. Swollen gum tissues are among the most prevalent signs of having wisdom teeth extracted as quickly as possible.
Overcrowding in the Mouth
Another significant reason dental professionals advise not to delay wisdom teeth without extraction because delayed removal causes damage to the teeth and jaw. Third molars are the largest set of teeth and the last to erupt. By the time they begin to emerge, there is not always sufficient space for them to occupy. The consequence is that the third molars usually push the already existing teeth aside and beyond, leading to overcrowding and pain. An overcrowded mouth is more challenging to clean and more susceptible to caries.
Also, if your mouth is severely overcrowded, the third molars may erupt incorrectly, most frequently at an angle. If they do so, they force themselves through the roots of other teeth, damaging or destroying them. They may also appear in an incorrect place, leading to discomfort and making the usual jaw function challenging.
Stiff Jaw
Delaying third molar extraction can have severe repercussions on your jaw and mouth. Among the most prevalent signs is jaw stiffness. Jaw stiffness indicates that your third molars exert pressure on the jaw as they crowd the other teeth.
The immobility and stiffness can ultimately convert to jaw pain as the third molars press against the other teeth. It can also result in difficulty fully opening your mouth. That is because jaw stiffness limits its range of motion, and with time, it can make it hard or painful to open the mouth fully and speak or eat properly. Call your oral surgeon or dentist for a third molar exam once you realize any discomfort or stiffness in your jaw.
Foul Breath or Bad Taste In the Mouth
Foul breath might occur due to different factors. It might result from digestive-related problems. This dental problem can also result from delayed removal of third molars. Gum pockets develop behind the wisdom teeth from the time these teeth erupt. The pockets are virtually impossible to access using a toothbrush, allowing bacteria to build up and thrive in the area.
Then, decay occurs until an infection starts. This leads to a bad taste in the mouth, generating a foul odor or breath. A regular dental check-up can enable the dentist to clean the area thoroughly. However, bacteria can accumulate in that place even with routine brushing and flossing. An extraction of the wisdom teeth will rid the tooth itself and the pocket, making it possible for the mouth to be thoroughly cleaned.
Increased Sinus Pressure
Although tooth roots and sinuses are located next to one another, we often do not consider how connected they are. However, overgrown third molars can usually exert more pressure on the sinuses, making the head feel uncomfortable and heavy. You will know your sinus pain is linked to your third molars when it does not go away even with regular treatment and radiates from the jaw.
Fortunately, sinus pressure is not a common side effect of third molars. However, when it happens, you should take care of it as fast as possible to enable you to return to carrying out your regular chores and avoid further problems from the pain.
Development of Tumors and Cysts
If you delay removing an impacted wisdom tooth, it could lead to the formation of tumors and cysts in the area. These may cause severe damage to the adjacent nerves and tissue, resulting in long-term discomfort, pain, and even difficulty eating or speaking. Cysts develop when third molars become trapped beneath the gums, forming a cavity filled with bacteria that could cause structural damage to the jaw.
You also risk developing tumors if impacted third molars are not extracted immediately. These tumors could be malignant or benign and require extensive treatment from an experienced dental professional. When impacted wisdom teeth cause problems, you should consult a dentist who can provide ideal advice on their extraction.
Signs to Look Out For To Know If You Have Impacted Wisdom Tooth
How do you know you have an impacted wisdom tooth in the first place? At times, impacted third molars do not cause any apparent problems. Other times, signs and symptoms might develop unexpectedly or gradually with time. Indications that you may have an impacted wisdom tooth include the following:
- The swelling or pain in your face or jaw
- Difficulty fully opening your mouth
- Bleeding, swollen, or red gums
- Halitosis (bad breath)
- A bad taste in your mouth
You want to visit your dental professional if you experience any of the above symptoms. The dentist will conduct an exam to ask about your symptoms. They will also take X-ray images to see whether you have impacted teeth and whether your other teeth and jawbone are damaged.
Treatment Options
Generally, addressing an impacted wisdom tooth entails removal. Your dentist will suggest an ideal approach depending on your specific case and the extent of impaction. Extraction methods include the following:
- Surgical extraction: If the wisdom tooth is fully impacted and has not erupted from the gum, the surgical extraction method may be necessary. An oral surgeon usually performs this procedure. It entails making a tiny cut in the gum to reach the tooth and, where required, dividing the tooth into smaller parts for easier extraction.
- Simple extraction: A dental professional can perform the simple extraction method where the third molar has partly emerged and can be seen in the mouth. This method resembler the removal of any other teeth
- Preventive extraction: Dental professionals sometimes recommend extracting third molars even before they can cause any problems. This approach is recommended when X-ray images show a higher possibility of impaction or if the mouth does not have enough room for the wisdom teeth to emerge.
Treat Impacted Wisdom Teeth Near Me
Do not gamble with your oral health. If your third molar is impacted or causing problems and your dental professional recommends their extraction, do not delay. Acting promptly to undergo extraction will save your oral health and general well-being in the long run.
If you want to undergo impacted wisdom tooth extraction in Encino, CA, we at Lasting Impressions Dental Spa can help. For decades, we have attended to patients with dental problems, including impacted wisdom teeth. Our clients’ safety and health are our priorities for dental procedures. When it is time to remove your third molars, you can trust the experience and skill of our qualified oral surgeons. Call us at 818-751-5100 to schedule a consultation to review your situation.
